General Redistricting Information

What is redistricting?

Redistricting is the process of redrawing the boundaries of the districts from which state legislators, both house and senate, are elected. Because Wyoming will continue to have only one representative in the United States House of Representatives, there is no need to draw any boundaries for Wyoming's congressional delegation.

Who is responsible for redrawing state legislative districts and when will this occur?

Under the state constitution, the legislature is required to redraw state legislative districts at the first budget session following the federal census. Wyo. Constitution, Art. 3, s. 48. The most recent U.S. census was taken in April 2000. The first budget session following the census will convene in February of 2002.

During the interim between the recently completed 2001 session of the Wyoming legislature and the convening of the 2002 budget session, the legislature has assigned the task of redistricting to the Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Interim Committee.

What are the general legal rules that must be followed in redistricting the state?

Under the U.S. constitution as interpreted by the U.S. supreme court, there must be equality of voting power. Gray v. Sanders 372 U.S. 368,381(1963)  The court has expressed this concept as "one person, one vote." Id.   This requirement  is met by having  each state legislative district contain approximately an equal number of persons within it.  Reynolds v. Sims 377 U.S. 533, 576-77 (1964); Conner v Finch 431 U.S. 407, 416 (1977)

How does the legislature accomplish redistricting?

 The joint corporations interim committee will be developing redistricting plans. As a part of that process the committee will be taking public comment at hearings around the state.  (Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Interim Committee activities).   In addition, individual legislators may develop plans as well.

Redistricting plans will be introduced as bills at the 2002 session, and they will follow the same steps as any other legislation. The bills will be referred to legislative committees by the house and senate leaders, where they will be worked by the committee. Again the public will be allowed to testify as a part of that process. The bills then will come before the full house and senate, where they will be read three times and can be amended again. The house and senate by majority vote will enact a single bill containing a plan.

Like other legislation, the redistricting bill will be sent to the governor. He can sign the bill into law or let it become law without his signature, or he can veto the bill. The new legislative district lines will be used in the 2002 elections.