Drawing the Lines: Redistricting Recent History and Ongoing Legislation

This primer is a follow-up to MAP’s webinar on redistricting that took place on February 4th, 2021. The goal of this document is to provide an overview of recent historical changes to the redistricting processes in various states and to highlight current legislation in the 2021 sessions. The delayed delivery of 2020 Census data could impact the drawing of state legislative and congressional districts in all 50 states in 2021, impacting the 2022 election cycle. Learn more about the webinar here. 

Notable Changes Taking Effect in 2021

*Ohio, *Michigan, and *Virginia will have their state legislative districts drawn by an independent commission for the first time. *Colorado and *Virginia will have their Congressional districts drawn by an independent commission for the first time in 2021. 

Historical Changes to the Redistricting Process

State Legislative Redistricting Commissions (chronologically) 

The following states have their legislative district lines drawn by an independent redistricting commission: 

• Arkansas in 1956 via Citizens’ Initiative 
• Missouri in 1966 via Legislative Referral 
• New Jersey in 1966 via Legislative Referral 
• Pennsylvania in 1968 via Legislative Referral 
• Montana in 1972 via Constitutional Convention 
• Colorado in 1974 via Citizens’ Initiative 
• Washington in 1983 via Legislative Referral 
• Hawaii in 1992 via Legislative Referral 

• Idaho in 1994 via Legislative Referral 

• Alaska in 1998 via Legislative Referral

• Arizona in 2000 via Citizens’ Initiative 

• California in 2008 via Citizens’ Initiative
• *Ohio in 2015 via Legislative Referral 

• *Michigan in 2018 via Citizens’ Initiative

• *Virginia in 2020 via Legislative Referral

Congressional Redistricting Commissions (chronologically) 

The following states have their Congressional district lines drawn by an independent redistricting commission: 

• Montana in 1972 via Constitutional Convention 
• Washington in 1983 via Legislative Referral 
• Hawaii in 1992 via Legislative Referral 
• Idaho in 1994 via Legislative Referral 
• New Jersey in 1995 via Legislative Referral 
• Arizona in 2000 via Citizens’ Initiative 
• California in 2010 via Citizens’ Initiative 
• *Colorado in 2018 via Legislative Referral 
• *Virginia in 2020 via Legislative Referral 

2021 Live Redistricting Legislation 

Many states have introduced legislation to establish an independent or advisory redistricting commission for both state legislative and congressional districts, including:

• Illinois HB59, sponsored by Rep. Tim Butler (R) (Pending: Re-referred to Rules Committee)
• Oregon HJR7, sponsored by Rep. Christine Drazan (R) (Pending: Referred to Rules)
• New Hampshire HB121, sponsored by Rep. Marjorie Smith (D) (Pending: Motion Adopted Regular Calendar)
• Indiana SB283, sponsored by Rep. Fady Qaddoura (D) (Pending: First reading)
• Nebraska: LB107 sponsored by State Senator John McCollister (R) (Pending: Notice of hearing)
• Kentucky HB23, sponsored by Rep. Buddy Wheatley (D) (Failed: Died in Committee)
• New Mexico: HB211 sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Dow (R) (Pending: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation)
• New Mexico: SB15 sponsored by Sen. Daniel Ivey Soto (D) and Rep. Brian Egolf (D) (Pending: Passed Senate)
• West Virginia: HB2549 sponsored by Del. Mike Pushkin (D) (Pending: Referred to House Judiciary Committee)
• Tennessee: SB957 sponsored by Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D) (Pending: refer to Senate Government Operations Committee)

Multiple states have introduced legislation to amend the state constitution to establish an independent redistricting commission for both legislative and congressional districts, including:

• New Hampshire CACR4, sponsored by Rep. Dianne Schuett (D) (Failed: Inexpedient to Legislate)
• Georgia SR20, sponsored by Sen. Elena Parent (D) & HR55 sponsored by Rep. Matthew Wilson (D) (both died in committee)
• Texas: HJR59 sponsored by Rep. Donna Howard (D) (Pending: Scheduled for public hearing) 
• Kansas: HC5012 sponsored by Rep. Brett Parker (D) (Pending: Referred to Committee on Federal and State Affairs)
• New Mexico: SB304 sponsored by Senator Brenda McKenna (D) (Passed: Signed by Governor)

If you have any questions about redistricting, please don’t hesitate to reach out to either policy@millennialactionorg or [email protected].

*Updated 4/30/2021

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