Redistricting for Community Empowerment: A Legal How-To Guide

Redistricting is the process of redrawing the district maps used by political jurisdictions to elect public officials. This process takes place every ten years following each decennial census and affects all government bodies that use district elections including the U.S. House of Representatives, state legislatures, county boards of supervisors, city councils, school boards, and special districts (e.g., water and health care districts). This year, hundreds of government bodies throughout the state will begin the process of redrawing their lines ahead of the 2022 elections. To prevent abuses and manipulations, there are federal and state laws that provide communities with protections in the redistricting process. This guide discusses those protections and gives an overview of local redistricting processes to help your organization best advocate for the communities you serve.