Opportunities for Redistricting Reform

Last Updated: January 5, 2021

Author: Catherine Rowland, Legislative Affairs Director (catherine@progressivecaucuscenter.org)

The author thanks Public Citizen for their comments and insights.

This year represents not only a midterm election year, but the first election to take place since the most recent Census revealed how the U.S. population has evolved over the past decade and, consequently, how many seats each state will be apportioned in the U.S. House of Representatives for the next 10 years. While the House passed significant reforms to improve the redistricting process as part of the For the People Act, the Senate failed to act on the legislation before states began drawing new districts. There is, however, still an opportunity for Congress to enact meaningful reforms ahead of the midterm elections through the Freedom to Vote Act. 

As of January 4, 2022, 26 states have finalized their maps, while the others are still in the process of redrawing Congressional district lines. Some states have already been criticized for failing to ensure fair representation and these states will almost certainly face legal challenges. As litigation makes its way through the courts, it will be critical for Congress to enact legislation addressing the most egregious redistricting practices that deny Americans fair representation.