Redistricting 2000 Data

Statistical Data

United States Public Law 94-171 specifies that within 1 year of Census Day, April 1, 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau must send each state the data it will need to redraw districts for the state legislature. P.L. 94-171 sets up a voluntary program between the Census Bureau and those states that wish to receive population tabulations for voting districts (VTDs, i.e., election precincts) and other state specified geographic areas. As noted in the Geographical Data section below, Wyoming participated in this program.

The statistical population data provided to Wyoming under P.L. 94-171 includes the total state population categorized in various ways. The categories include race breakdowns, Hispanic origin and voting age population. These population data correspond with census block level geography. Block level geography is the lowest level at which the U.S. Census Bureau tabulates population.

During redistricting, the blocks and the corresponding population data therein are aggregated together to form state legislative districts. The P.L. 94-171 population data are loaded onto a computer at the Legislative Service Office, and in conjunction with the Geographical Data discussed below, they are used to develop plans for redrawing state legislative districts.

Geographical Data

Redistricting 2000 TIGER/Line Files (TIGER stands for Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing. It is a registered trademark of the  U.S. Census Bureau.)

The TIGER system is an automated geographic database developed by the U.S. Census Bureau. It is loaded onto a computer at the Legislative Service Office for use in developing proposed redistricting plans in conjunction with the P.L. 94-171 statistical data discussed under Statistical Data above.

TIGER includes geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) for visible features on the earth's surface such as roads, railroads and streams. For most features, the TIGER/Line files also include attributes such as the names of the feature and for streets, the potential address range and associated ZIP+4 Code for each side of the street. The TIGER/Line files also include the boundaries and codes for all geographic areas for which the Census Bureau tabulates data including American Indian/ Alaska Native areas, states, counties, townships, cities and similar functioning general purpose governments. It also has the boundaries and codes for statistical areas (such as census tracts and census blocks) for which the Census Bureau collects and tabulates data.

Wyoming's Participation in Development of TIGER 2000

U.S. Census Bureau 2000 Redistricting Data Program. Following the "one-person, one-vote" court decision in the 1960's, state legislatures found 1970 census small geographic areas to have boundaries that did not coincide with voting district lines. This frustrated their efforts to merge local voting behavior data with small-area census counts to create legislative districts with balanced populations.

In 1972, the Census Bureau, National Legislative Conference, Congress, and state officials began to design a 1980 census program to meet this critical need. Public Law 94-171, which amended the Census Law (Title 13, United States Code,) was enacted by Congress in 1975. The purpose of this law is to provide state legislatures with small-area census population totals for legislative redistricting.

Wyoming's Participation. In the mid 1990's, the Wyoming legislature appropriated funds to the Sec. of State to purchase a computer and necessary software for each county clerk to participate in the Census 2000 Redistricting Data Program so that the administrative difficulties facing local election officials after legislative redistricting in 1992 would not occur following redistricting after the 2000 census. From the funds appropriated, the Dept. of Administration, Information Technology Division (ITD) oversaw the distribution of the computers and provided technical assistance to the county clerks throughout the project.

At the 2000 session, the Wyoming legislature appropriated funds to provide new computers and software to replace those originally purchased. From the newly appropriated funds, ITD is overseeing the distribution of the computers and providing technical assistance to the county clerks.

To a greater or lesser extent, all local county clerks participated in the Census 2000 Redistricting Data Program. The U.S. Census Bureau described the program in more detail as follows:

"PHASE 1, BLOCK BOUNDARY SUGGESTIONS PROJECT (BBSP)

 

KEY CENSUS DATE: APRIL 1995. CENSUS DIRECTOR INVITES STATE OFFICIALS TO JOIN PHASE 1 OF CENSUS 2000 REDISTRICTING DATA PROGRAM

Purpose: Allow states to "suggest" features on census maps that they wish the Bureau to maintain in establishing boundaries for the "census blocks" for which we will provide population totals.

Most of the 46 states [including Wyoming] that are participating in this voluntary program are suggesting features like streams, ridge lines, overhead power lines, etc. that will correspond as closely as possible with the current or projected boundaries of their election precincts, wards, polling areas (which we refer to generically as "voting districts" (VTDs).

BBSP: States submit suggested features on census maps/electronic files. Time Line: 1995-1998.

BBSP Verification: Census Bureau returns completed maps and/or electronic files to states so they can verify that their suggested features have been accurately recorded on [or] learn why some features are not technically acceptable for census operations. Time Line: 1997-1998.

 

PHASE 2, VOTING DISTRICT PROJECT (VTDP)

 

Purpose: The Census Bureau returns to the states--on a flow basis--census maps and electronic files show[ing] all features (e.g., roads, rivers, ridge lines) to be used in creating census blocks for tabulating population totals for redistricting. Time line: December 1998-June 1999.

States will have several months to outline their election precincts (i.e., VTDs) using the features shown on these maps and files and return the maps/ files to the Bureau for incorporation into the geographic data base that will be used to take the census. In other words, participating states [including Wyoming] will be sent census maps and TIGERLine files which specify the "census blocks" that will be the smallest areas for which 2000 census population data will be made available. States will then have several months to overlay--either manually or electronically using "equivalency" files--the boundaries of their voting districts (e.g., local election precincts, wards). NOTE: In Phase 2, the boundaries of the census blocks are final; states cannot "split" a census block with a VTD (election precinct) line.

VTDP Verification: On a flow bases [basis], the Census Bureau will return revised maps and files showing the election precincts delineated by the state for officials to verify that the precinct (VTD) boundaries, names, and codes have been accurately added by the Census staff. Each state will have several weeks to complete its review and notify the Bureau of any discrepancies. Time Line Flow By State: September 1999-January 2000."

See U.S. Census Bureau at www.census.gov/clo/www/phases.html.  Again, the goal of this Census program was to make as easy as possible the administration of state legislative elections by local elections officials following redistricting after the 2000 census. To the extent that county clerks participated in the program, the administration of state legislative elections by the clerks in 2002 should be easier.