How do I create a plan with current political districts?

If you already have an equivalency fileEquivalency FileA file that contains the unique identifier for the base layer, usually the Block ANSI for Census Blocks, and the corresponding district identifier. Equivalency files can be used to recreate district geography using any GIS., you can import that file during the planPlanA set of boundaries for all districts of a representational body, a.k.a. map. creation process to rebuild the plan in Maptitude for Redistricting.

1. Choose Redistricting>Plan Manager to display the Plan Manager dialog box.
2. Choose a library for the new plan from the Library drop-down list.
3. Click New to display the New Plan wizard.
4. Click the From my district table radio button. Maptitude for Redistricting displays the Choose File to Import dialog box.
5. Choose the file to import and click Open. If using an Excel file, select the sheet then click OK. **Note: If you do not have your own equivalency file, you can use the file in C:\XX Data 20YY Final, where XX is the state abbreviation and YY is the year).
6. Click Next. Make changes as follows:

To do this…	Do this…
Choose the mapMapA representation of an area of land or sea showing physical features (i.e. cities, roads, etc.) shown as layers.	Make a choice from the Map drop-down list. Click Browse to choose a map that is not already open.
Choose the base layerBase LayerBuilding blocks for a plan, usually the smallest features in area, Census Blocks.	Make a choice from the Base LayerBase LayerBuilding blocks for a plan, usually the smallest features in area, Census Blocks. drop-down list.
Choose a balancing fieldBalancing FieldThe field that contains data that is being equalized across districts in a plan. In most plans this field is Population.	Make a choice from the Balancing FieldBalancing FieldThe field that contains data that is being equalized across districts in a plan. In most plans this field is Population. drop-down list.
Set the number of districts	The No. of Districts edit box automatically displays the number of unique districts in the district table.
Set the ideal valueIdeal ValueThe total population or alternative for the redistricting divided by the number of seats in a plan. directly	Type the value in the Ideal ValueIdeal ValueThe total population or alternative for the redistricting divided by the number of seats in a plan. edit box.
Compute the ideal valueIdeal ValueThe total population or alternative for the redistricting divided by the number of seats in a plan.	Enter the number of districts in the Number of Districts edit box and click Compute. Maptitude for Redistricting computes the ideal valueIdeal ValueThe total population or alternative for the redistricting divided by the number of seats in a plan. and displays it in the Ideal ValueIdeal ValueThe total population or alternative for the redistricting divided by the number of seats in a plan. edit box.
Choose the Layer Hierarchy	Make a choice from the Layer Hierarchy drop-down list.
Set the Allowable Deviation	Type the allowable deviation in the Allowable Deviation edit box.
Choose a base layerBase LayerBuilding blocks for a plan, usually the smallest features in area, Census Blocks. field	Choose a field from the Match Base Layer Field drop-down list.
Choose an import layer field	Choose a field from the To Import Layer Field drop-down list that matches the base layer field.
Choose the fill district from field	Choose a field from the Fill District From drop-down list that contains the district assignments.

7. Click Next.
8. If you don’t want to enter the other plan settings at this time, click Finish. Otherwise, make changes as follows:

To do this…	Do this…
Add summary fields	Click  and choose one or more fields from the dialog box and click OK. Maptitude adds the fields in the Selected Fields column.
Drop summary fields	Highlight one or more summary field names, and click .
Rearrange summary fields	Highlight one or more summary field names, and click  or .
Set a denominator	Highlight one or more tracking field names, and click the down arrow to select a denominator.

9. Click Next.
10. Make changes as follows:

To do this…	Do this…
Set a plan type	Type the plan type in the Plan Type edit box.
Set an administrator	Type the administrator’s name in the Administrator edit box.
Set comments	Type comments in the Comments edit box.

11. Click Finish.

Maptitude for Redistricting saves the plan using your political districts and sets up the windows and the toolbox for redistricting.