State legislatures enact congressional district maps that establish the boundaries used to elect members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
high
temporal
Describes the legislative process that determines House district boundaries.
Federal courts in the United States can enjoin the use of newly drawn congressional maps and order that alternative maps be used for upcoming elections when resolving redistricting disputes.
high
temporal
Describes judicial authority and remedies available in redistricting litigation.
Mid-decade redistricting, the practice of redrawing congressional district maps outside the regular decennial redistricting cycle, is used as a political strategy to attempt to change electoral advantages for political parties.
high
temporal
Explains a durable political tactic related to redistricting timing.
Racial gerrymandering â drawing electoral district lines predominantly on the basis of race â is illegal under U.S. federal law and the U.S. Constitution.
high
legal
Legal principle applied in litigation over congressional redistricting.
The U.S. Constitution assigns primary authority to state legislatures to draw congressional district maps, subject to limitations imposed by federal law and judicial review.
high
constitutional
Foundational allocation of redistricting responsibility between state and federal systems.
Federal courts have the authority to review state congressional redistricting plans, to issue injunctions blocking their implementation, and to conduct trials adjudicating claims such as racial gerrymandering.
high
procedural
Judicial powers exercised in redistricting disputes.