What does Preamble of Redistricting Reform Act of 2025 do?

This bill aims to require states to conduct congressional redistricting using plans developed and enacted by independent redistricting commissions. The bill's stated purpose is to ensure redistricting is conducted in accordance with plans from state-established independent commissions.

What does SHORT TITLE; STATEMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY; TABLE OF of Redistricting Reform Act of 2025 do?

This Act is formally titled the "Redistricting Reform Act of 2025". The Act asserts Congress's constitutional authority to regulate congressional redistricting. This authority is based on Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution, which grants Congress power over the time, place, and manner of elections. The Act also cites Section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment, granting Congress the power to enforce provisions related to apportionment and protections against partisan gerrymandering. Furthermore, the Act references Congress's authority to enforce Article IV, Section 4, concerning the guarantee of a Republican Form of Government. The Act states that requiring States to use uniform redistricting criteria is an appropriate exercise of Congress's authority.

What does REQUIRING CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING TO BE CONDUCTED THROUGH of Redistricting Reform Act of 2025 do?

This section mandates that congressional redistricting in states must be conducted according to a plan developed by an independent redistricting commission established in the state, or if that plan isn't enacted, by a three-judge court. It amends the Act to provide for the fifteenth and subsequent decennial censuses to reference the Redistricting Reform Act of 2025. States with existing independent redistricting commissions that meet specific requirements are exempt from the general requirement. These requirements for existing commissions include a publicly available application process, disqualifications for individuals with government or political affiliations, conflict of interest screening, multi-partisan composition, criteria for map drawing, public input, and broad-based support for plan approval. The composition of the commission must represent the two major political parties and those unaffiliated with any party. The map drawing process must minimize the division of communities of interest and prohibit drawing maps to favor a political party. Iowa is specifically exempted from the general requirement, provided redistricting continues to be carried out by the Iowa Legislative Services Agency with a Temporary Redistricting Advisory Commission, as previously practiced.

What does BAN ON MID-DECADE REDISTRICTING. of Redistricting Reform Act of 2025 do?

This section prohibits states that have been redistricted according to this Act, or those described in sections 101(c) or 101(d), from redistricting again until after the next apportionment of Representatives. An exception to this ban exists if a court orders a state to redistrict to comply with the U.S. Constitution, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the state's constitution, or the terms of this Act. Section 402's remedies for noncompliance apply to violations of this section in the same manner as they apply to other violations of this Act. This section applies to redistricting based on the 2020 decennial census and subsequent censuses.

What does CRITERIA FOR REDISTRICTING. of Redistricting Reform Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes criteria for congressional redistricting plans. States must ensure redistricting plans comply with the U.S. Constitution, including equal population, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Districts should be drawn to ensure the ability of protected groups to participate in the political process and elect representatives. Redistricting plans should consider communities of interest, defined as areas with shared interests and representational needs. States cannot draw redistricting plans to favor or disfavor political parties. A court may presume a violation if a redistricting plan exhibits partisan advantage or disadvantage exceeding a certain threshold based on past election data. States are prohibited from considering the residence of members of Congress or a candidate, or the political party affiliation or voting history of a district's population. This section applies to any authority responsible for enacting a state's congressional redistricting plan.

What does INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION. of Redistricting Reform Act of 2025 do?

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What does ESTABLISHMENT OF SELECTION POOL OF INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE TO of Redistricting Reform Act of 2025 do?

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What does PUBLIC NOTICE AND INPUT. of Redistricting Reform Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes requirements for public notice and input throughout the redistricting process. The independent redistricting commission must hold meetings in public, solicit and consider public comments, and disseminate proposed and final redistricting plans. The commission must maintain a public internet site with features including general information, schedules, draft and final plans, public comments, live streaming of hearings, demographic data, and a method for public comment submission. The website must be operational by January 1 of the year ending in '1'. The commission must hold at least three public hearings prior to developing a preliminary redistricting plan and at least three hearings after publishing it. Notices for hearings and publications must be provided in multiple languages as required by the Voting Rights Act. The commission must publish a preliminary redistricting plan and a final redistricting plan, along with accompanying reports and responses to public comments. The final redistricting plan is deemed enacted into law 45 days after approval, subject to review by the Department of Justice. Each redistricting plan must include a written evaluation against external metrics, including impact on communities of color and partisan fairness.

What does ESTABLISHMENT OF RELATED ENTITIES. of Redistricting Reform Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes requirements for a nonpartisan agency within each state's legislative branch to appoint members of an independent redistricting commission. States can either establish a new agency or designate an existing one, provided it meets nonpartisanship criteria. The nonpartisan agency must provide initial training to commission members on their obligations, including those under the Voting Rights Act. The agency must adopt regulations outlining procedures for vetting applicants, creating selection pools, and ensuring transparency. If a new agency is created, it will terminate after the redistricting plan is enacted. States must retain records of the nonpartisan agency for potential use in civil actions related to congressional redistricting. Each state must also appoint a Select Committee on Redistricting, composed of legislators from both parties, to approve or disapprove selection pools developed by the independent redistricting commission. The composition of the Select Committee varies depending on whether the state has a bicameral or unicameral legislature.

What does REPORT ON DIVERSITY OF MEMBERSHIPS OF INDEPENDENT of Redistricting Reform Act of 2025 do?

This section requires the Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report to Congress. The report must assess the diversity of memberships of independent redistricting commissions. The assessment covers commissions established under this title. The report is due by May 15 of a year ending in the numeral one. The report concerns the preceding year ending in the numeral zero.

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Redistricting Reform Act of 2025

Last updated: 9/18/2025 · Introduced: 9/18/2025

Author: Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)

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119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title; statement of constitutional authority; table of, and 3 more.

5 sections

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TITLE II

-INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSIONS

5 sections

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TITLE III

-ROLE OF COURTS IN DEVELOPMENT OF REDISTRICTING PLANS

2 sections

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TITLE IV

-ADMINISTRATIVE AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

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