State & Local Redistricting

Overview

Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts a constitutionally mandated count of each person living in the country and the five U.S. territories. This count is utilized for distributing the number of U.S. Congressional seats by state, drawing of state legislative districts (Senate and House of Representatives), and for funding federal programs, all of which impact our quality of life.

Federal law dictates the size of the House of Representatives at 435 seats, but the number of elected representatives and their district areas change over time. This process is known as apportionment. As an example, Texas gained two new congressional districts and two new representatives as part of this apportionment process due to our significant population growth.

Once the apportionment process is completed, the U.S. Census Bureau compiles and provides more detailed data to each state (plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico) in the form of “redistricting files.” This information includes details like race and voting age which are accessible to map drawers in each state. This data is important for states as they must follow three principles when redrawing districts:

One person, one vote – U.S. Constitution requires substantially equal population per district.
Shaw v. Reno – case that outlined of race can’t be the predominant factor in the redistricting process unless narrowly tailored to satisfy sections 2 and 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
Voting Rights Act §2 -precludes the drawing of maps that are discriminatory on the basis of race or language minority status. Typically demonstrated by the use of “cracking” and “packing” districts.

Additionally, as a diagnostic tool, communities can use the Voting Rights Act §5. Section 5 requires certain states to submit their proposed redistricting plans to the Department of Justice for preclearance to ensure that the proposed plans have neither discriminatory purpose or effect. In 2013, the US Supreme Court ruled in Shelby County v. Holder (2013) unconstitutional to use the coverage formula in Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act to determine which jurisdictions are subject to the preclearance requirement of Section 5. Thus, states like Texas no longer have to submit their proposed maps to the federal government for preclearance.

Due to delays in the 2020 Census Count and the release of the redistricting file for each state, the Texas Legislature was delayed in the process of and completion of drawing new maps for use in the 2022 Elections. The new maps for use in the 2022 Election were completed during the recently concluded 3^rd Special Session of the 87^th Legislature.

New Statewide Redistricting Maps

Signed by the Governor on October 25, 2021, the following are the new statewide maps:

Texas Senate

Texas House

U.S. Congressional Delegation for Texas

State Board of Education

Local Redistricting Plans

With the state redistricting process now complete, local political subdivisions will begin the process of redistricting. This includes the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, local independent school districts and our own Alamo Community College District Board of Trustees.

For more information on the redistricting process for each of the region’s local governments please visit:

City of San Antonio

Bexar County

Alamo Community College Board of Trustees

Additional Resources

For more information on redistricting, you can visit:

Texas Redistricting Website

Texas Legislature Online

Texas Tribune Redistricting Tool

The Texas Tribune Redistricting Tool provides the ability to search by address and view your current districts versus where your address is under the new redistricting maps.

Guide to Redistricting 2021