The Threat to Representation for Children and Non-Citizens

On December 8, 2015, the Supreme Court heard Evenwel v. Abbott, a case that could have changed redistricting by counting eligible voters only instead of all residents for population equality.

The Court ruled on April 4th that districts can be drawn based upon all residents, but said they could review other standards in the future. The plaintiffs vowed to continue to press the issue.

If the Court ruled for counting only eligible voters, virtually all districting plans in the United States would need to be redrawn, and children and non-citizens would no longer count as constituents to represent.

Social Explorer illustrates the potential impact that this change could have on legislative and congressional districts. Read full report here.