The once-per-decade process of redrawing all 62 state legislative districts is underway.
To ensure all citizens receive equal representation, federal law requires every state in the nation to redraw its legislative districts following the U.S. Census. This process is known as redistricting or reapportionment.
In Delaware, the redistricting process is entirely controlled by the political parties holding majorities in the General Assembly’s two legislative chambers. Democratic legislators hold a 14 to 7 advantage in the Senate and a 26 to 15 edge in the House of Representatives.
House and Senate Democrats will create separate reapportionment plans for their respective chambers. House Republicans will also offer a plan, but this proposal will require significant Democratic support to be considered.
The draft maps are expected to be posted on the General Assembly's redistricting web page for the public to review late next week. The House will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Monday, October 18 to present proposed legislative redistricting maps to the public and solicit comments. The hearing will be a hybrid meeting taking place in-person at Legislative Hall and simultaneously live streamed online. Registration for virtual participants will be available via the web page.
The Senate will be holding a similar hearing (time and date to be announced).
The process will ultimately conclude with the finished plans/maps being converted into one bill detailing the boundaries of all the districts. The General Assembly will convene a special session, probably in early November, to consider the measure. Once it has been approved by simple-majority vote in the House and Senate, it will go to Governor John Carney for his signature.
The new legislative districts will be observed for the 2022 general election. Candidates running in those races must reside in the new districts, which will take effect immediately following Election Day (November 8, 2022).
