Appendix A
Deadlines for Redistricting

Alabama

First legislative session following the decennial census. However, the federal district court has ruled that the legislature is not limited to apportion representation during the first session after the census. The federal district court will order reapportionment where the court is convinced that further delay is inappropriate.

Alaska

Commission must report plan 90 days after official census data are delivered.

Arizona

No specific date by which the legislature must redistrict.

Arkansas

The Board of Apportionment must redistrict on or before February 1 of the year following the decennial census.

California

No specific date by which the legislature must redistrict.

Colorado

The Reapportionment Commission must publish a preliminary plan within 90 days after the commission meets or when the census data are available, whichever is later. The final plan must be approved by the state supreme court by March 15, 2002.

Connecticut

The legislature must adopt a plan by September 15, 2001. If the legislature fails to meet the deadline, the governor appoints eight members designated by the legislative leaders to a commission; the 8 select a ninth. It must submit a plan to the Secretary of the State by November 30, 2001.

Delaware

The legislature must adopt a plan by June 30, 2001.

Florida

The legislative deadline is indeterminate (see, Article III, § 16, and Article III, § 3(b), Florida Constitution). The deadline for qualifying for state office, however, is July 15-19, 2002 (see, § 99.061(1), F.S.). If the legislature fails to meet the deadline, the Florida Supreme Court redistricts.

Georgia

No specific date by which the legislature must redistrict.

Hawaii

The reapportionment commission has 150 days from the date the members of the commission are certified to adopt a plan.

Idaho

The legislature must adopt a plan 90 days after appointment of the commission.

Illinois

The legislature must adopt a plan by May 31, 2001. If the legislature fails to meet the deadline, an eight member commission must be formed by July 10, 2001, and must file a report with the secretary of state by August 10, 2001. If the commission does not adopt a plan by that date, the state supreme court selects two people by September 1, 2001, one of whom is chosen (at random) to be the commission tie-breaker. By October 5, 2001, the nine-member commission must file its report.

Indiana

The congressional deadline is April 29, 2001 (end of first regular session). If that date is not met, the Redistricting Commission adopts an interim plan. The legislature must adopt a plan by April 29, 2001. Failure to meet that date can result in a special session of the General Assembly, if called by the Governor.

Iowa

The legislature must adopt a plan by September 1, 2001. Apportionment shall become law by September 15, 2001. If the legislature fails to meet the deadline, the state supreme court must adopt a plan prior to December 31, 2001.

Kansas

The legislature must adopt a plan before sine die adjournment of the 2002 legislative session.

Kentucky

The legislature must adopt a plan by May 2003.

Louisiana

The legislature must redistrict by December 31 of the year following the year in which the census data is reported to the President. Failure to meet that deadline will result in the state supreme court, upon petition of any elector, shall reapportion both houses.

Maine

Advisory commission submits plan to legislature no later than 90 calendar days after the convening of the 2003 legislative session. The legislature must adopt the commission plan or a plan of its own by a two-thirds vote of each house within 30 calendar days.

Maryland

Governor has reapportionment authority. He submits a plan to the legislature on the first day of the regular session in the second year following the census. The legislature has 45 days to amend and adopt that plan or adopt one of its own. If it does not act, the plan, as introduced by the Governor, goes into effect.

Massachusetts

Michigan

No specific date by which the legislature must redistrict.

Minnesota

25 weeks before the state primary election in the year ending in two (March 19, 2002).

Mississippi

The legislature must redistrict at its regular session the second year following the 2000 census.

Missouri

Commission has six months from the date of appointment to develop a plan.

Montana

The Districting and Apportionment Commission must submit its plan to the legislature at the first regular session after its appointment or after the census figures are available. Within 30 days after submission of the plan, the legislature must return the plan to the commission with its recommendations. Within 30 days thereafter, the commission shall file its final plan with the secretary of state and it shall become law.

Nebraska

No specific date by which the legislature must redistrict.

Nevada

By June 4, 2001. (Mandatory duty of the Legislature to apportion itself at first legislative session following decennial census).

New Hampshire

No specific date by which the legislature must redistrict.

New Jersey

The Apportionment commission must certify a redistricting plan within one month of receipt by the Governor of the census count for the state from the Clerk of the U.S. House, or on or before February 1, 2001, whichever is later.

New Mexico

No specific date by which the legislature must redistrict.

New York

Before next election cycle (2002).

North Carolina

First regular session after return of the decennial federal census. Practically, in time for Section 5 preclearance before filing opens first Monday in January 2002.

North Dakota

First legislative session following the decennial census.

Ohio

The Apportionment Board must meet between August 1 and October 1, 2001, and the plan must be published by October 5, 2001.

Oklahoma

May 25, 2001.

Oregon

July 1, 2001.

Pennsylvania

The Legislative Reapportionment Commission must file a preliminary plan no later than 90 days from the time the commission membership is certified or when the census data has been received, whichever is later. Aggrieved parties have 30 days to file exceptions, and the commission must file a final plan within 30 days of the last exception. Any aggrieved person may file an appeal of the final plan directly to the state supreme court within 30 days. If the court finds the plan contrary to law, the commission must adopt another plan.

Rhode Island

No specific date by which the legislature must redistrict.

South Carolina

No specific date by which the legislature must redistrict.

South Dakota

December 1, 2001.

Tennessee

No specific date by which the legislature must redistrict.

Texas

The first regular legislative session following release of the census figures: applies to ongoing regular session in 2001.

Utah

"At the session next following an enumeration made by the authority of the United States..." The 2002 General Session begins on January 21, 2002, and ends on March 6, 2002.

Vermont

At the biennial session following the taking of the decennial census.

Virginia

Prior to 2001 House elections that are scheduled for November 2001.

Washington

January 1, 2002.

West Virginia

No specific date by which the legislature must redistrict.

Wisconsin

First legislative session following the decennial census.

Wyoming

February 15, 2002.

This page is maintained by the Redistricting Task Force for the National Conference of State Legislatures
Update: 1/18/99 (psw)
Comments: peter.wattson@senate.leg.state.mn.us