District
An area whose voters choose a representative. U.S. House districts and state legislative districts are different maps.
USA Simple Civics · Elections
Redistricting & gerrymandering
District lines decide which voters choose a representative together. Change the lines, and the results can change—even when no one changes their vote.
Research checked October 17, 2026 · 50-state process guideStart with three words
Redistricting
Drawing new district boundaries, usually after the census counts where people live every ten years.
Gerrymandering
Drawing lines to give a political party or group an unfair advantage, or weaken another group’s voting power.
Same voters, different groups
How packing and cracking work
Imagine 15 voters: 6 choose A and 9 choose B. There are three districts with five voters each. Each district elects one representative. A candidate needs three votes to win a district.
Packing: group voters together
Put most A voters into one district. They win it by a lot, but have little influence in the other two.
District 1
5 A · 0 BA wins
District 2
1 A · 4 BB wins
District 3
0 A · 5 BB wins
A wins 1 seat. B wins 2 seats.
Cracking: split voters apart
Spread the same A voters across all three districts. They are outnumbered in every district.
District 1
2 A · 3 BB wins
District 2
2 A · 3 BB wins
District 3
2 A · 3 BB wins
A wins 0 seats. B wins 3 seats.
Illustration, not a real map. Each letter is one voter. The panels regroup the same number of A and B voters; nobody changes their vote. Real maps must also follow geography, population and legal rules.
Mapmakers can use packing and cracking together. But these vote totals alone do not prove that a real map is unlawful. Where people live also affects the result, and district elections do not guarantee that a party’s share of seats will match its share of votes.
Legal background: Rucho v. Common Cause (2019)
The rules
What makes a map legal—or unfair?
People, not acres
Districts within a state must meet population-equality rules. U.S. House districts face a stricter standard than state legislative districts.
A large rural district and a small city district can contain similar numbers of people. Total population includes people who cannot vote, such as children.
Race and voting rights
The Constitution and the Voting Rights Act limit racial discrimination in mapmaking. Claims about weakening minority voters’ ability to elect candidates differ from claims about using race improperly to draw lines.
The legal tests are detailed and changed in 2026. A district’s racial makeup alone does not tell us whether it is legal.
State rules also matter
States can require connected districts, compact shapes, respect for city or county boundaries, and protection for communities with shared interests.
Some restrict partisan favoritism. Rules and priorities vary by state; there is no single nationwide checklist of shapes.
Population: Evenwel v. Abbott (2016) · State criteria: NCSL: redistricting criteria
Partisan gerrymandering: federal and state courts differ
In Rucho v. Common Cause (2019), the Supreme Court ruled that federal courts cannot decide constitutional claims of partisan gerrymandering. That did not erase state rules or stop federal courts from hearing other kinds of redistricting claims.
The case involved a Republican-favoring map in North Carolina and a Democratic-favoring map in Maryland. State courts can still enforce applicable state laws and constitutions.
2026 update: Louisiana v. Callais
On April 29, 2026, the Supreme Court rejected Louisiana’s challenged congressional map as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. It also made the test for proving a Voting Rights Act Section 2 redistricting violation stricter.
The ruling requires evidence supporting a strong inference of intentional racial discrimination. It changes how courts separate race from party preference and assess alternative maps. Section 2 remains law; older explanations of its redistricting test may now be incomplete.
Do not confuse a proposal with a finished change
Why a “who draws the maps?” table needs dates
The normal process and the map used in a particular election can be different. A court order, ballot measure or new law can change the answer between censuses. These are selected examples, not a complete list of current lawsuits.
California
Voters approved Proposition 50 in November 2025. California uses a legislature-drawn congressional map for 2026–2030. Its citizens commission still draws state legislative maps and resumes congressional mapmaking after the 2030 census.
Virginia
The state Supreme Court voided the April 2026 redistricting referendum on May 8. The election office says the congressional boundaries in place before that referendum remain for the 2026 primary and general elections.
Utah
A state court rejected the legislature’s congressional boundaries and selected a replacement for the 2026 elections. The people elected under those boundaries begin their terms in January 2027.
Maryland
Question 3 is on the November 3, 2026 ballot. It would remove state-constitutional boundary criteria for congressional maps while retaining requirements for state legislative maps. It also concerns state Supreme Court review. It is a proposal as of this page’s review date; federal rules would still apply.
For additional states: NCSL’s dated mid-decade tracker
All 50 states
Who draws the maps in your state?
This table explains the usual process, with key exceptions noted. It is not a live list of every map or lawsuit. “State lawmakers” means the state legislature. The state legislative column covers that state’s House and Senate, except Nebraska’s single chamber.
Commission: a mapmaking board. Some have elected officials; others restrict who can serve. The word alone does not mean independent or fair.
Advisory: proposes maps but does not make the final decision. Backup: takes over if the usual process fails. Veto: the governor rejects a bill; lawmakers may be able to override that rejection.
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways. Download all 50 states (CSV).
| State | U.S. House districts | State legislative districts | What to know / sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAL | State lawmakers | State lawmakers | Both kinds of map follow the state’s lawmaking process. The governor can approve or veto the bills. Courts may require changes.State process and legal references |
| AlaskaAK | One statewide district | Redistricting Board | Five appointed members draw state legislative maps. No governor approval is required.State process and legal references |
| ArizonaAZ | Independent commission | Independent commission | The same five-member commission draws both kinds of map. No governor approval is required.State process and legal references |
| ArkansasAR | State lawmakers | Board of Apportionment | The governor, secretary of state and attorney general draw state legislative maps. Congressional maps go through the legislature and governor.State process and legal references |
| CaliforniaCA | Temporary legislature-drawn map | Citizens commission | Proposition 50 allows the legislature-drawn congressional map for 2026–2030. The citizens commission keeps state legislative mapmaking and resumes congressional mapmaking after the 2030 census.State process and legal references · California election office |
| ColoradoCO | Congressional commission | Legislative commission | Separate independent commissions draw the two kinds of map. The state Supreme Court reviews each final map.State process and legal references |
| ConnecticutCT | Lawmakers; backup commission | Lawmakers; backup commission | Both chambers need a two-thirds vote. A nine-member commission takes over if lawmakers fail; the state Supreme Court can resolve a further failure.State process and legal references |
| DelawareDE | One statewide district | State lawmakers | Only state legislative boundaries need to be drawn within the state. The governor can approve or veto those map bills.State process and legal references |
| FloridaFL | State lawmakers | State lawmakers | The governor can veto congressional maps. State legislative maps do not need the governor’s approval and receive automatic state Supreme Court review.State process and legal references |
| GeorgiaGA | State lawmakers | State lawmakers | Both kinds of map follow the state’s lawmaking process. The governor can approve or veto the bills. Courts may require changes.State process and legal references |
| HawaiiHI | Reapportionment Commission | Reapportionment Commission | A nine-member commission draws both kinds of map. Legislative leaders appoint eight members; a ninth serves as chair.State process and legal references |
| IdahoID | Citizens commission | Citizens commission | A six-member commission draws both kinds of map. Legislative leaders and the two largest parties appoint members.State process and legal references |
| IllinoisIL | State lawmakers | Lawmakers; backup commission | The governor can veto map bills. If lawmakers fail to pass state legislative maps, a backup commission takes over.State process and legal references |
| IndianaIN | Lawmakers; backup commission | State lawmakers | A five-member backup commission can draw congressional maps if lawmakers fail. The ordinary legislative route involves the governor.State process and legal references |
| IowaIA | Nonpartisan staff + lawmakers | Nonpartisan staff + lawmakers | Staff propose maps. Lawmakers vote and the governor can veto. Lawmakers cannot amend the first two proposals, but can amend the third.State process and legal references |
| KansasKS | State lawmakers | State lawmakers | The governor can veto map bills. The state Supreme Court automatically reviews state legislative maps.State process and legal references |
| KentuckyKY | State lawmakers | State lawmakers | Both kinds of map follow the state’s lawmaking process. The governor can approve or veto the bills. Courts may require changes.State process and legal references |
| LouisianaLA | State lawmakers | State lawmakers | The governor can veto map bills. The state Supreme Court can draw legislative maps if lawmakers fail. The 2026 Callais ruling changed the federal voting-rights test; see below.State process and legal references |
| MaineME | Advisory commission + lawmakers | Advisory commission + lawmakers | The commission proposes maps. Lawmakers need a two-thirds vote; the governor can veto. The state Supreme Court draws maps if the legislative process fails.State process and legal references |
| MarylandMD | State lawmakers | Governor proposes; lawmakers may replace | For state legislative maps, the governor’s plan takes effect if lawmakers do not adopt another plan within 45 days. Congressional map bills go to the governor. A separate November 2026 ballot proposal is noted below.State process and legal references · Maryland Constitution, Article III |
| MassachusettsMA | State lawmakers | State lawmakers | Both kinds of map follow the state’s lawmaking process. The governor can approve or veto the bills. Courts may require changes.State process and legal references |
| MichiganMI | Independent citizens commission | Independent citizens commission | The 13-member commission has Democrats, Republicans and members of neither party. Its rules require cross-group support, with a fallback selection process if needed.State process and legal references |
| MinnesotaMN | State lawmakers | State lawmakers | Both kinds of map follow the state’s lawmaking process. The governor can approve or veto the bills. Courts may require changes.State process and legal references |
| MississippiMS | State lawmakers | Lawmakers; backup commission | The governor can veto congressional maps, but not state legislative maps. A five-member backup body draws legislative maps if the legislature fails.State process and legal references |
| MissouriMO | State lawmakers | Two bipartisan commissions | Separate commissions draw state House and Senate maps. A panel of appellate judges replaces a commission that fails. Congressional map bills follow the legislative process; court orders can change which map is used.State process and legal references |
| MontanaMT | Districting commission | Districting commission | A five-member commission draws both maps. Lawmakers may recommend changes to legislative maps; the commission makes the final decision.State process and legal references |
| NebraskaNE | State lawmakers | State lawmakers | Nebraska has one legislative chamber, rather than a separate House and Senate. The governor can veto map bills.State process and legal references |
| NevadaNV | State lawmakers | State lawmakers | Both kinds of map follow the state’s lawmaking process. The governor can approve or veto the bills. Courts may require changes.State process and legal references |
| New HampshireNH | State lawmakers | State lawmakers | Both kinds of map follow the state’s lawmaking process. The governor can approve or veto the bills. Courts may require changes.State process and legal references |
| New JerseyNJ | Congressional commission | Legislative commission | Separate commissions draw the maps. The congressional body has 13 members; the legislative body starts with 10 and can add a court-appointed tie-breaker.State process and legal references |
| New MexicoNM | Advisory committee + lawmakers | Advisory committee + lawmakers | A citizens committee submits proposed maps. Lawmakers can adopt, change or reject them. The governor can veto the final bills.State process and legal references |
| New YorkNY | Commission proposes; lawmakers adopt | Commission proposes; lawmakers adopt | The commission is a required part of the process. Lawmakers vote on its proposals; changes are allowed only through the state’s prescribed process. The governor has a role in final enactment.State process and legal references |
| North CarolinaNC | State lawmakers | State lawmakers | District maps are not subject to the governor’s veto. Congressional and state legislative maps can still face legal challenges.State process and legal references |
| North DakotaND | One statewide district | State lawmakers | Only state legislative boundaries need to be drawn within the state. The governor can approve or veto those map bills.State process and legal references |
| OhioOH | Lawmakers; commission fallback | Redistricting Commission | Congressional mapmaking starts with lawmakers, can shift to the commission and can return to lawmakers. Cross-party voting rules affect the process and how long maps last.State process and legal references |
| OklahomaOK | State lawmakers | Lawmakers; backup commission | The governor can veto map bills. If lawmakers fail to draw legislative maps, a backup commission takes over.State process and legal references |
| OregonOR | State lawmakers | Lawmakers; secretary of state fallback | The governor can veto map bills. If lawmakers fail to draw state legislative maps, the secretary of state draws them, subject to court review.State process and legal references |
| PennsylvaniaPA | State lawmakers | Legislative Reapportionment Commission | Congressional map bills go through lawmakers and the governor. A five-member commission draws state legislative maps.State process and legal references |
| Rhode IslandRI | State lawmakers | State lawmakers | Map bills go through lawmakers and the governor. Advisory bodies can help prepare proposals; they do not replace the legislature’s final role.State process and legal references |
| South CarolinaSC | State lawmakers | State lawmakers | Both kinds of map follow the state’s lawmaking process. The governor can approve or veto the bills. Courts may require changes.State process and legal references |
| South DakotaSD | One statewide district | State lawmakers | Only state legislative boundaries need to be drawn within the state. The governor can approve or veto those map bills.State process and legal references |
| TennesseeTN | State lawmakers | State lawmakers | Both kinds of map follow the state’s lawmaking process. The governor can approve or veto the bills. Courts may require changes.State process and legal references |
| TexasTX | State lawmakers | Lawmakers; backup board | The governor can veto map bills. The Legislative Redistricting Board takes over state legislative mapmaking if lawmakers fail; that fallback does not draw congressional maps.State process and legal references |
| UtahUT | Commission proposals + lawmakers; court exception | Commission proposals + lawmakers | The usual process includes independent commission proposals and legislative action. A court selected the congressional map used for the 2026 elections after rejecting the legislature’s map.State process and legal references · Utah: districts for 2026 elections |
| VermontVT | One statewide district | Advisory board + lawmakers | The Legislative Apportionment Board recommends state legislative maps. Lawmakers adopt the plan and the governor can veto it.State process and legal references |
| VirginiaVA | Commission + legislative approval | Commission + legislative approval | A mixed citizen/lawmaker commission proposes maps; lawmakers vote without amendments. The state Supreme Court takes over if the process fails. The 2026 referendum was voided; earlier congressional boundaries remain for 2026.State process and legal references · Virginia election office: May 2026 ruling |
| WashingtonWA | Commission; limited legislative changes | Commission; limited legislative changes | Four voting commissioners and a nonvoting chair prepare maps. Lawmakers can make limited changes with a two-thirds vote in each chamber. Courts can intervene.State process and legal references · Washington: legislative amendment limits |
| West VirginiaWV | State lawmakers | State lawmakers | Both kinds of map follow the state’s lawmaking process. The governor can approve or veto the bills. Courts may require changes.State process and legal references |
| WisconsinWI | State lawmakers | State lawmakers | Map bills go through lawmakers and the governor. An advisory panel may propose maps but does not replace that legal process.State process and legal references |
| WyomingWY | One statewide district | State lawmakers | Only state legislative boundaries need to be drawn within the state. The governor can approve or veto those map bills.State process and legal references |
No states match that search. Try a full state name or its two-letter abbreviation.
How can people have a say?
- Find the right map. Check whether the proposal concerns Congress, your state legislature or local government.
- Read the proposed boundaries. Check which neighborhoods, schools, roads and shared services are grouped together.
- Follow the public process. Look for hearings, comment periods and map submissions on the legislature’s or commission’s official website.
- Check the final election information. A proposed map may change. Your election office’s address lookup tells you which district and ballot apply to you.
Starting point: USA.gov: state and local election offices
Questions worth asking about any map
Who proposed it? Which rules apply? What changed? Which communities were split? Was the process public? Has a court ruled, or is the case still pending? Apply the same questions whichever party benefits.
Sources and review notes
Each state row links to its All About Redistricting profile from Loyola Law School, including state-law references. All 50 process summaries were reviewed against those profiles. NCSL’s national summaries were used as a cross-check. Official state sources resolve the highlighted exceptions and additional details.
The table focuses on who proposes, adopts or replaces a map. It does not list every deadline, vote threshold, veto override, court case or temporary advisory panel. A commission label is a description of the process, not a fairness rating.
Selected updates are dated. A court order allowing a map to be used while a case continues does not necessarily settle whether that map is lawful.