Electoral maps should be drawn to reflect and represent all voters, including communities who share common interests and concerns within districts. Democracy is threatened when these maps are drawn to create partisan advantage or exclude communities of voters.
States task redistricting authorities to redraw the lines of electoral district maps every 10 years based on the most recent census. In most states, the legislature draws district boundaries; in others, a special or independent commission draws the map.
When maps are drawn unfairly and deny equal representation to communities, their concerns and voices at local, state, and federal levels of government may not be heard or addressed. One way redistricting authorities can create fairer maps is by strengthening public engagement throughout the process.
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Citation
Van Theemsche, Lisa. 2024. Fair Maps. Cambridge, MA: Union of Concerned Scientists.
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