The "Redistricting Transparency and Accountability Act of 2025" aims to enhance transparency and public participation in congressional redistricting processes across States. Citing constitutional authority under Article I, Section 4 and the Fourteenth Amendment, the bill asserts Congress's power to regulate the manner of elections and enforce apportionment. It mandates that any State conducting congressional redistricting must follow specific procedures to inform the public and allow for their involvement in developing proposals. A core provision requires each State redistricting entity to establish and maintain a public internet site . This site must provide general information on the redistricting process, legal requirements, and principles, alongside timely notices of meetings. Crucially, it must offer no-cost access to digital files containing block equivalency, shapefiles, and demographic data for public analysis and plan creation. The site also needs to facilitate public comment submission and provide live and archival access to public hearings, with all key information available in multiple languages as required by the Voting Rights Act. The bill further mandates extensive public hearings to gather input both before and after the development of proposed plans. These hearings must be held in different regions of the State, include virtual participation options, and be scheduled to ensure meaningful access for all members of the public, including racial, ethnic, and language minorities. A proposed hearing schedule must be published for public comment, with a minimum of three hearings required, before a final schedule is adopted. Before adopting a final congressional redistricting plan, the State redistricting entity must provide comprehensive public notification at least ten days prior to a vote. This notice must include a detailed analysis of the proposed plan, maps, demographic data, election results, and an assessment of its compliance with laws like the Voting Rights Act and its partisan fairness . A statement explaining the rationale for the chosen plan and any dissenting opinions must also be published, alongside information on how the public can submit comments. Finally, the bill requires a mandatory public hearing at least seven days before the final vote on a plan, allowing for public comments on the proposed final version. While the Act primarily applies to congressional redistricting occurring after the 2030 census, it also immediately applies to States ordered by a court to revise their 2020 census-based plans if a final plan has not yet been enacted.
Redistricting Transparency and Accountability Act of 2024
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Government Operations and Politics
Redistricting Transparency and Accountability Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-5921| House
| Updated: 11/4/2025
The "Redistricting Transparency and Accountability Act of 2025" aims to enhance transparency and public participation in congressional redistricting processes across States. Citing constitutional authority under Article I, Section 4 and the Fourteenth Amendment, the bill asserts Congress's power to regulate the manner of elections and enforce apportionment. It mandates that any State conducting congressional redistricting must follow specific procedures to inform the public and allow for their involvement in developing proposals. A core provision requires each State redistricting entity to establish and maintain a public internet site . This site must provide general information on the redistricting process, legal requirements, and principles, alongside timely notices of meetings. Crucially, it must offer no-cost access to digital files containing block equivalency, shapefiles, and demographic data for public analysis and plan creation. The site also needs to facilitate public comment submission and provide live and archival access to public hearings, with all key information available in multiple languages as required by the Voting Rights Act. The bill further mandates extensive public hearings to gather input both before and after the development of proposed plans. These hearings must be held in different regions of the State, include virtual participation options, and be scheduled to ensure meaningful access for all members of the public, including racial, ethnic, and language minorities. A proposed hearing schedule must be published for public comment, with a minimum of three hearings required, before a final schedule is adopted. Before adopting a final congressional redistricting plan, the State redistricting entity must provide comprehensive public notification at least ten days prior to a vote. This notice must include a detailed analysis of the proposed plan, maps, demographic data, election results, and an assessment of its compliance with laws like the Voting Rights Act and its partisan fairness . A statement explaining the rationale for the chosen plan and any dissenting opinions must also be published, alongside information on how the public can submit comments. Finally, the bill requires a mandatory public hearing at least seven days before the final vote on a plan, allowing for public comments on the proposed final version. While the Act primarily applies to congressional redistricting occurring after the 2030 census, it also immediately applies to States ordered by a court to revise their 2020 census-based plans if a final plan has not yet been enacted.