What Redistricting Is
Redistricting is the redrawing of geographic boundaries for congressional and state legislative districts, required after each decennial census to account for population changes. The U.S. Constitution requires that House districts be roughly equal in population, so when a state gains or loses population relative to other states, its district lines must be redrawn to reflect that change.
After the 2020 census, states spent 2021 and 2022 drawing new maps. Those maps govern every congressional election through 2030.
Who Controls the Process
In most states, the party that controls the state legislature controls the redistricting process. This creates an obvious incentive to draw maps that protect incumbents or disadvantage the opposing party, a practice called gerrymandering. After 2020, Republicans controlled redistricting in states including Texas, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. Democrats controlled it in states including Illinois and Maryland.
Seventeen states use independent redistricting commissions to reduce partisan influence. California and Arizona, where Sam Stone works in Maricopa County, both use commissions. The results in commission states are generally more competitive than in states where the legislature controls the process.
The Court Challenges That Changed 2026 Maps
Several 2021 maps have been modified by courts. Alabama was required to draw a second majority-Black district under the Voting Rights Act. New York’s Democratic gerrymander was struck down by the state courts and redrawn. Louisiana was required to add a second majority-Black district. These court-ordered changes shifted the competitive landscape in each affected state.
The practical result for 2026: several seats are competitive that would not have been under the original maps, and several safe seats are now marginally more competitive.
What Sam Stone Sees From Inside Election Administration
From inside Maricopa County’s election administration office, redistricting has tangible operational effects. New district lines mean new precinct assignments for voters, updated voter registration data, new ballot configurations, and staff retraining on which voters receive which ballots. The administrative complexity of redistricting is entirely invisible to voters but represents weeks of work for county election offices in every redistricting cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is redistricting?
Redistricting is the redrawing of congressional and state legislative district boundaries every 10 years after the census to reflect population changes and maintain equal representation.
What is gerrymandering?
Gerrymandering is the drawing of district boundaries to advantage one political party or group. The term dates to 1812, when Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry approved a district shaped like a salamander.
How often does redistricting happen?
Redistricting occurs every 10 years, following the decennial census. The current maps were drawn in 2021 and 2022 and will govern elections through 2030.
