MOMENTUM TO RETHINK REDISTRICTING GROWS

HOW IT WORKS IN VIRGINIA: Senate and House maps are redrawn every 10 years after the U.S. Census Bureau’s release of new demographic data. Legislative maps are usually crafted behind closed doors before the proposals are presented to the public. The process is controlled by whichever party is in power, leading to claims that the drawers are most concerned with getting re-elected. Software used to draw the maps is now widely accessible, but it’s often not clear who wields the mouse.

ANOTHER PATH: More states are considering independent, nonpartisan commissions to draw the lines. California, which has such a commission, is considered an early success story. Utah, Colorado and Arkansas will join Michigan this November in having ballot measures for an independent commission. A fifth state, Missouri, had a ballot proposal calling for a new statistical redistricting model.

COULD IT HAPPEN HERE? Next year, Democrats plan to file a bill calling for a constitutional amendment that establishes a redistricting commission. Previous attempts have failed, but public interest in redistricting is on the rise and political power is likely to be more evenly split as the 2020 Census approaches — two factors working in favor of reforming the current system.