How many states have independent redistricting commissions?

Critical Analysis

1. In most states, the state legislature has authority over the drawing and approval of maps. Based on the data from the visual above, how many states have independent redistricting commissions?

2. Does your state have an independent redistricting commission?

3. Describe one geographical pattern from the visual above.

4. By mandate of Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, every ten years the U.S. Census is taken to determine the population of the nation and of each state. Those numbers are used to determine the number of Congressional districts each state gets. This is called reapportionment. Although it still has the most congressional districts (52), for the first time in the state’s history, California lost congressional districts after the 2020 census. Draw a conclusion about California’s population based on the information above.

5. Explain why Alaska, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Delaware do not and cannot have independent redistricting commissions?

6. Before 2020 Montana did not and could not have an independent redistricting commission. They have one now. Explain what changed after 2020?

7. After states receive their total number of congressional seats they then get to redistrict (draw lines on a map to divide up their state) to determine where those seats go. This is called redistricting. Why does reapportionment necessarily need to happen before redistricting can happen?

8. Article I, section 4 of the U.S. Constitution mandates that, “The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof;” According to this, what body in each state is in charge of redistricting?

9. In order to better represent the will of the people, some state legislatures choose to allow independent redistricting commissions draw their state district lines. Under an independent commission, legislators may have an opportunity to shape the pool of candidates under consideration, but some combination of random draw and selections by nonpartisan staff or judges ensures that everyday citizens decide congressional lines, instead of politicians. The independent commissions and their nonpartisan staff drafted each plan and sought feedback from the public before choosing a final map. Explain how independent commissions impact elections.

10. Make a claim about whether independent redistricting commissions increase or decrease democracy.

Learning Extension

Action Extension

You could make a difference in how your state draws its district lines. Contact your state legislature and let them know what you think about independent redistricting commissions.

Visual Extension