Gallagher Introduces Bill to Keep Communities Together During Congressional Redistricting

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman James Gallagher (CA-01) today introduced the Representation Act, legislation to bring greater transparency to congressional redistricting and protect communities of interest from being unnecessarily divided when states draw congressional maps.

“Too often, people who live in the same community and share the same schools, local economy, and way of life are divided on a political map with little to no explanation,” said Congressman Gallagher. “Redistricting should be about fair representation, not politicians picking and choosing which communities stay together. The Representation Act gives people a voice in the process and requires states to explain themselves when they tear a community apart.”

The Representation Act would require states to identify and publish communities of interest before drawing congressional districts and provide residents with a process to submit their own communities for consideration. Once documented, those communities generally could not be divided between congressional districts unless required by law or necessary to preserve another community of interest.

“Small towns like Paradise deserve a voice when congressional maps are drawn,” said Paradise Mayor Steve Crowder. “Rural and fire-impacted communities often face the same challenges, and it makes sense to keep those communities together whenever possible. I appreciate Congressman Gallagher putting local communities at the center of the redistricting process.”

The legislation comes as redistricting battles across the country have raised renewed questions about congressional boundaries, such as how they are drawn, and the impact those decisions can have on local representation. Gallagher introduced the bill following California’s recent redistricting fight, but said the issue extends far beyond any one state or political party.

“Thank you Congressman Gallagher for introducing the Representation Act, legislation that seeks to restore the importance of communities of interest in redistricting,” said Katy Thoma, Executive Director of the Chico Builders Association. “After more than five decades of calling Chico home, I strongly believe that the people of the North State deserve representation that understands our region, our economy, and the qualities that make this community worth fighting for. For the North State, agriculture, higher education, small businesses, natural resources, housing, water, transportation, and our rural communities are not isolated, they are interwoven as one. This legislation recognizes that.”

The Representation Act establishes a nationwide process for identifying and protecting communities of interest during congressional redistricting.

“Keeping communities connected, especially those that share schools, resources and common goals, matters to families across the North State,” said Ryan Bentz, Glenn County Superintendent of Schools. “Here in Glenn County, our communities are closely connected, and it’s important that those connections are considered when congressional maps are drawn. We appreciate Congressman Gallagher’s efforts to make sure rural communities like ours have a voice in the redistricting process.” 

“This isn’t a Republican or Democrat issue,” Gallagher said. “Communities across the country deserve to know how these decisions are being made and why their neighborhoods are being divided. If a state is going to split a community apart, there should be a legitimate reason for doing it, and those who live there deserve to know what that reason is.”

BACKGROUND

Under the legislation:

• States must identify and document communities of interest and accept submissions directly from residents.
• Documented communities generally cannot be divided unless necessary to meet equal population requirements, comply with the Voting Rights Act, or preserve another community of interest.
• States must publicly explain why a documented community was divided when final congressional maps are adopted.
• Residents have limited legal recourse when a documented community is improperly divided or a proposed community is not properly considered.
• The Election Assistance Commission would develop national standards and mapping tools to assist states with identifying communities of interest.

The legislation defines a community of interest as a geographically connected population that shares cultural, historical, economic, or social characteristics.

Read the Representation Act HERE.

###