Between Dec. 1 and Dec. 8, at least three states either proposed or advanced new redistricting maps.
Proposed
Rhode Island: The Rhode Island General Assembly’s Special Commission on Reapportionment met on Dec. 2. Members were briefed on the first draft maps for the state’s 75 House and 38 Senate districts. Two drafts were released for both chambers. Rhode Island will also redraw its congressional district lines as part of its redistricting process but no draft maps have been released as of Dec. 8. While Rhode Island does not have a set timeline for redistricting, candidates running in 2022 must file by June 29, setting that as an implied deadline.
Advanced
South Carolina: The House of Representatives voted 96-14 in favor of new maps for the state’s 124 House districts on Dec. 2. The Associated Press’ Jeffrey Collins wrote that the House vote “likely locks in the maps, because the Senate traditionally doesn’t alter the House maps, and the House does the same for the other chamber.” On Dec. 6, the start of a special session for redistricting, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 22-1 in favor of new maps for the state’s 46 Senate districts. These maps will now advance to the Senate for a full vote. Both chambers indicated they would not begin the congressional redistricting process until they return in January 2022 for their regularly-scheduled legislative session.
Washington: On Dec. 3, the Washington Supreme Court unanimously ruled that it would not exercise its authority to enact new congressional and legislative district boundaries, choosing instead to allow the state Redistricting Commission’s plans to move forward. Under state law, the court assumed redistricting authority after the commission failed to meet its Nov. 15 deadline. The commission, which ultimately approved maps on Nov. 16, asked the court to use their proposals rather than drawing the maps anew. In its order, the supreme court tasked the commission with carrying out any final tasks for the process to continue. The state legislature may amend the commission’s final maps by a two-thirds vote in each chamber.
Enacted
No states enacted new congressional or legislative maps between Dec. 1 and Dec. 8.
As of Dec. 8, 18 states have enacted new congressional district maps and 22 have finalized their state legislative lines.
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