Between Jan. 5 and Jan. 12, officials in at least five states either proposed, advanced, or enacted new redistricting maps.
Proposed
Hawaii: On Jan. 6, the Hawaii Reapportionment Commission approved a motion to modify the legislative maps it originally approved for consideration on Oct. 28, 2021. The deadline to finalize maps is Feb. 27.
This modification comes after communication between the commission and the U.S. military about the number of nonpermanent resident personnel and their families living and working at military installations across the state, many of whom are located on Oahu.
Under Hawaii law, individuals like nonpermanent military residents and out-of-state college students cannot be included in reapportionment figures. The commission approved the modification after learning the initial maps did not properly accounted for these figures.
While the change is not expected to alter the partisan makeup of the state, under the new proposals, one legislative district would move from Oahu to Hawaii.
Advanced
Florida: On Jan. 10, two Senate subcommittees voted in favor of two Senate and two congressional map plans, sending them to the full Senate Redistricting Committee for a vote. Sen. Darryl Rouson’s (D) congressional map plan was among those the subcommittees considered. Rouson said he drafted his proposal to not divide Pinellas County, home to St. Petersburg, into two congressional districts. The two congressional map plans approved by the subcommittee included the divide.
Kentucky: The Kentucky General Assembly approved new congressional, state legislative, and supreme court district maps on Jan. 8, sending them to Gov. Andy Beshear (D). Kentucky is a divided government with Republican control of both chambers of the legislature and a Democratic governor. While Beshear may veto any map proposals, Republicans hold enough seats to override any veto. Kentucky is one of six states that requires a simple majority vote for a gubernatorial veto override.
New York: On Jan. 10, the New York State Legislature rejected the New York Independent Redistricting Commission’s congressional and state legislative map proposals. The commission now has until Jan. 25 to develop a second round of proposals, though it could extend the timeline to Feb. 28. If the legislature rejects the second round of proposals, it may begin to amend the commission’s proposals.
The commission forwarded the competing map plans to the legislature on Jan. 3 after reaching a 5-5 vote on each proposal. Due to the tie, the commission forwarded two sets of congressional and state legislative proposals: one developed by Democratic members and one developed by Republicans.
Enacted
One state—New Mexico—enacted a state legislative map between Jan. 5 and Jan. 12. After enacting its House maps on Dec. 29, 2021, the state enacted its new Senate map on Jan. 7.
As of Jan. 12, 2021, 24 states have enacted congressional district maps and 28 have enacted legislative district lines.
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