Coretta Scott King Mid-Decade Redistricting Prohibition Act of 2023 This bill prohibits a state where the congressional districts have been redistricted after a decennial census from carrying out another redistricting until after the next apportionment of Representatives following a decennial census, unless a court requires the state to conduct a subsequent redistricting to comply with the Constitution or enforce the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The bill is applicable to any congressional redistricting which occurs after the regular decennial census conducted during 2020.
Impact
If enacted, HB 42 would significantly alter the landscape of congressional redistricting by instituting a more rigid structure that would prevent states from making frequent changes to their congressional maps. By limiting redistricting to once per decade, the bill seeks to stabilize the representation process at the federal level, which could reduce the potential for political manipulation during the redistricting phases. Critics of the current system argue that frequent redistricting can lead to gerrymandering, where maps are drawn to favor particular political parties. Therefore, HB 42 seeks to enhance electoral fairness and stability.
Summary
House Bill 42, introduced as the Coretta Scott King Mid-Decade Redistricting Prohibition Act of 2023, aims to impose a restriction on states regarding congressional redistricting. The bill specifically prohibits a state from redistricting its congressional districts more than once after each decennial census until the next apportionment occurs. The only exception to this rule is if a court mandates otherwise to ensure compliance with the Constitution or to enforce the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This regulation is applicable to any congressional redistricting that happens following the 2020 Census.
Contention
The proposal has sparked debates on its implications for local governance and political representation. Proponents, including some civil rights advocates, believe that reducing the frequency of redistricting contestations may help to uphold the principles of fair representation and diminish the risk of partisan gerrymandering. On the other hand, opponents contend that limiting redistricting could stifle necessary adjustments in response to demographic changes within states. This could result in underrepresentation of emerging communities and a failure to adequately address shifts in population dynamics and voting needs.
Citizen Legislature Anti-Corruption Reform of Elections Act or the CLEAN Elections Act This bill establishes requirements for nonpartisan redistricting and open primary elections. States must (1) conduct congressional redistricting using a plan developed by a nonpartisan independent redistricting commission, beginning with the 2020 census; and (2) hold open primaries for federal elections. A state may not use federal funds provided for election administration purposes unless it certifies to the Election Assistance Commission that it (1) conducts redistricting for its state legislative districts using a plan developed by a nonpartisan independent redistricting commission, and (2) holds open primaries for elections for state and local office.