Shifting population totals lead to a requirement to redistrict – to redraw existing district boundaries – to ensure each resident has equal representation. Equal representation includes fair treatment in apportionment of public funds as well as a preservation of a one-person-one-vote relationship in elections. This is an approximate relationship in that only citizens have the right to vote and not all citizens choose to do so.
Due to the large amount of data involved, computer software such as Maptitude for Redistricting is used by redistricters to draw boundaries that meet legal and other requirements. Maptitude for Redistricting is intended for professional use and has a great many features and metrics that are relevant for creating and evaluating redistricting plans. Many governments and their consultants will use its companion product, Maptitude Online Redistricting (MORe), to provide public access to redistricting.
Here are some articles that can help get you started with the redistricting process:
- Why Should We Care About Redistricting?
- How Do I Start Thinking About Redistricting in My Locality?
- How Do I Navigate Redistricting Data?
- What Are Some Principles That Are Important in Redistricting?
- What Is Gerrymandering?
- Why Is Redistricting Difficult?
- How Can I Judge Redistricting Plans?
- How Can Members of the Public Contribute in the Redistricting Process?
*The articles above are excerpts from the “People’s Guide to Redistricting” published on our website.