Glossary
Redistricting
The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries — typically every 10 years after a census.
In the US, redistricting is controlled by state governments (with a few exceptions where independent commissions handle the work). The party in control during a redistricting year often draws maps that lock in advantages for the following decade. Independent commissions, ranked-choice voting, and judicial review are the main reform mechanisms. The 2020 Census triggered a wave of post-2020 maps now playing out in 2024-2026 elections. See also: gerrymandering.
Related terms