Redistricting

Why You Should Care About Redistricting

The US Constitution requires the government conduct a census every 10 years, and that leads to a new apportionment of the 435 Members of the US House of Representatives between the states (as well as the Electoral Votes). As a result of the new population counts, every district in the country will get new boundaries for political jurisdictions -- which is redistricting. While the rules of redistricting can be quite complex, the responsibility of redrawing the lines falls on each of the 50 states, which vary considerably in their procedures, but there are common legal requirements established by the Courts.

While most of the political world is focused on 2010 elections, it is essential for Republicans not to lose focus on redistricting, because the political boundaries of new districts will have far-reaching consequences that affect Republican candidates for five election cycles to come. Make no mistake- the 2010 midterm elections are critical to the short term success of the Republican Party and, more importantly, the health and prosperity of our nation. However, the results of redistricting will stay with us for FIVE ELECTION CYCLES, and will affect every Congressional election from now until 2022.

GOP Redistricting Conference 2010

For more information on how to get involved with the GOP Redistricting effort, click here. To register for the event, you can either fax this form to the number provided or fill out the online application. 

Maps & Analyses Available for Download

• Most recent Reapportionment Estimates: Map of States Gaining or Losing Seats in the 2010 Apportionment (2010 Apportionment) - Map
• Redistricting Party Control - Congressional 2010
• Redistricting Party Control - Legislative 2010
• Governorships up in 2010 - Map
• Governors' Role in Redistricting - Map
• State House Control 2010
• State Senate Control 2010
• Redistricting Party Control - Historical 2000
• Redistricting Party Control - Historical 1990
• Redistricting Party Control - Historical 1980
• Large Map Compilation
• Federal Voting Rights Act States

More Information

Reapportionment Estimates - This is the latest estimates available, with the projected states that add or lose seat(s) in Congress (and thus, electoral votes). However, the number of members in each state will not be determined until after the Census population count is enumerated in December, 2010.

Redistricting Party Control - The process is different for each state in the union, and congressional redistricting is different from redrawing state legislative boundaries. The current party balance in congressional redistricting is shown on this map, and the battle of control of the legislative redistricting process is here (Redistricting Party Control - Legislative 2010) The Governors' role varies depending on the state, more detail is found in the following map (Governor's role). Other historical maps comparing party control historically during prior Redistricting: (Historical Maps: 1980, 1990, 2000)

The importance of elections in 2010 is that it is the final opportunity to influence the principal actors in the redistricting process before it begins - and the stakes are substantial because it can affect who will be able to win each Congressional seat for the next 5 elections - through 2020!