Rules of Redistricting
A combination of national, state, and local rules guide the redistricting process. While the federal requirements apply universally, state and local governments can establish additional constraints and priorities.The rules are complicated and sometimes quite vague! Here is a short explainer.Federal Requirements
Population balance: Districts should have very close to the same Population
Voting Rights Act compliance: Districts cannot block minority groups from electing candidates of choice
Common State and Local Requirements
Communities of Interest: Groups with significant shared interests should be kept together
Contiguity: Each district should be one connected piece
Compactness: District shapes should be “reasonable”
Boundary preservation: District lines should follow natural and official boundaries, such as rivers or town and county borders
For a slightly more detailed discussion, here's a handout. friend of the Lab Doug Spencer maintains a guide to state-by-state rules at All About Redistricting. The Brennan Center also has an excellent Citizens Guide to Redistricting, summarized in their 50 State handout.
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