Required by law, the Redistricting Data Program provides states the opportunity to specify the small geographic areas for which they wish to receive decennial population totals for the purpose of reapportionment and redistricting.
Under the provisions of Title 13, Section 141(c) of the United States Code (U.S.C.), the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) is required to provide the ‘‘officers or public bodies having initial responsibility for the legislative apportionment or districting of each state ...’’ with the opportunity to specify geographic areas (e.g., blocks, voting districts) for which they wish to receive decennial census population counts for the purpose of reapportionment or redistricting. By April 1 of the year following the decennial census, the Secretary is required to furnish the state officials or their designees with population counts for American Indian areas, counties, cities, census blocks, and state-specified congressional, legislative, and voting districts.
These tabs provide information, by decennial census, about the materials and processes for participation by the state appointed non-partisan liaisons to the program.
The 2020 Census Redistricting Data Program provided states the opportunity to delineate voting districts and to suggest census block boundaries for use in the 2020 Census redistricting data tabulations (Redistricting Data [Public Law 94-171] Summary File). The program was also responsible for the delivery of those tabulations to the states. Each state appointed a non-partisan liaison to serve as the Census Bureau's point of contact throughout all phases of the program. The program ensured continued dialogue with the states about 2020 Census planning, thereby allowing states ample time for their planning, response, and participation. In addition, the Redistricting Data Program periodically collects state legislative and congressional district boundaries, when they are changed by the states through redistricting.
The final phase of the 2010 Census Redistricting Program was a thorough review and evaluation of the 2010 Redistricting Data Program. The results of that evaluation are presented in Designing P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data for the Year 2020 Census: The View from the States, a report which provided guidance in planning the 2020 Census Redistricting Data Program.
Plans for the 2020 Redistricting Data Program were announced in the Federal Register on July 15, 2014.
The 2020 Redistricting Data Program had five phases:
In support of the states for the 2020 Census, the Redistricting Data Program conducted 2020 Census Redistricting Data Program Kick-Off meetings for the states, by request. These meetings, conducted in 2015 and 2016, explained the Redistricting Data Program, the design of the 2020 Census, the 2020 Geographic Programs, and 2020 Field activities. As part of these presentations, support materials and informational aides were provided.