State-level redistricting of congressional district maps can be used to increase a political party's chances of winning seats in the U.S. House.
November 17, 2025
high
process
Explains how redrawing congressional district boundaries can influence partisan outcomes in U.S. House elections.
A discharge petition in the U.S. House can be used to trigger a floor vote to force consideration of a measure, including votes intended to compel the Justice Department or other executive-branch agencies to release documents.
November 12, 2025
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procedural
House procedural mechanism to bring measures to the floor when regular leadership does not schedule them.
Pro forma sessions of the U.S. House are typically brief and contain little substantive business.
November 12, 2025
high
procedural
Pro forma sessions are short convenings of the House often used when full legislative business is not being conducted.
Special elections are used to fill U.S. House seats vacated after the death of a representative.
November 12, 2025
high
procedural
When a House seat becomes vacant due to a member's death, a special election is a mechanism to select a successor.
State legislatures may redraw U.S. House district maps mid-decade to try to alter partisan advantage for upcoming federal elections.
October 13, 2025
high
process
Mid-decade redistricting is a legislative tactic used by both parties to influence the partisan composition of congressional delegations.
Redistricting outcomes can change the partisan distribution of U.S. House seats between election cycles, affecting how many seats each political party wins.
October 13, 2025
high
impact
Altering district boundaries can shift competitive dynamics and translate into different seat allocations in subsequent elections.