The League of Women Voters urges all states undertaking mid-cycle redistricting to adhere to transparent, nonpartisan standards that protect voters and communities. Redistricting is a cornerstone of representative democracy. When done equitably and responsibly, it ensures that every person’s voice carries equal weight. When done improperly, it silences voices, magnifies inequities, and undermines the very foundation of representative democracy that ensures a government that is responsive and accountable to the people.
Core Standards for Responsible Redistricting
1. Transparency and Public Participation
- All redistricting deliberations must occur in open forums, subject to state open meeting laws.
- Members of the public must have access to draft maps, data, and decision-making processes at every stage.
- Public hearings and opportunities for feedback must be guaranteed in all affected communities. States should hold hearings in the evenings and weekends to increase access.
2. Decision-Making and Accountability
- Any redistricting plan should be adopted by more than a simple majority to reflect broad consensus.
- Remedial provisions must be established if the redistricting authority fails to enact a lawful plan or does not have public support.
- Courts must have explicit authority to review maps promptly, require corrections, and enforce deadlines for compliance.
3. Redistricting Plans Must:
- Comply with the US Constitution, federal law, including the Voting Rights Act, the state constitution, and state law.
- Ensure substantially equal population and geographic contiguity.
- Guarantee effective representation of racial, ethnic, and linguistic minorities.
- Preserve communities of interest and respect existing municipal and county boundaries whenever possible.
- Promote partisan fairness and, where feasible, compactness and competitiveness — without undermining the above criteria.
Special Note on the Protection of Historically Disenfranchised Communities
The League underscores that specific communities have been historically and continuously targeted by manipulative map-drawing. States must avoid practices that dilute or divide these groups:
1. Majority-Minority Districts
- Districts where racial or ethnic minority populations constitute an effective voting majority must not be dismantled or weakened. Federal law protects the right of these communities to elect candidates of their choice.
- Where additional effective majority-minority districts can be created, states should do so in compliance with the Voting Rights Act.
2. Native American Reservations
- Reservations must not be split across multiple districts. Tribal sovereignty and representation demand full protection in redistricting.
3. Young Voters in Colleges and Universities
- Campuses, universities, and education centers must not be split across districts to dilute the political power of young people.
4. Rural and Agricultural Communities
- Family farms and agricultural centers that serve as rural regions' economic and cultural heart must be preserved intact within districts.
Consequences of Failing to Protect Communities
States that violate these principles will face swift accountability — in the courts, where we will challenge unlawful maps, and at the ballot box, where we will mobilize voter turnout to ensure people's will is heard. Redistricting that divides or dilutes communities will not be tolerated.
Conclusion
Redistricting is more than a political exercise: it tests our democracy. States that protect historically disenfranchised communities, ensure transparency, and prioritize voter participation will strengthen democratic institutions and build trust with the public. States and legislators that fail to do so will face legal, political, and civic consequences.
The League of Women Voters stands ready to assist voters and communities in monitoring and evaluating maps to ensure they protect the integrity of our democracy. To support voter evaluation, we encourage voters and organizations to use our 2025 Redistricting Scorecards and Public Testimony Template available on our website.