Sec. 3. Districting criteria
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/bill/116/s/1972/is/section-3A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Following each Federal decennial census of population, each State with more than one congressional district shall establish or alter the boundaries of each congressional district of the State (referred to in this Act as a districting plan ) in accordance with each of the following criteria: Districts shall comply with the United States Constitution, including the requirement that they equalize total population. Districts shall comply with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 ( 52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.).
Districts shall provide racial, ethnic, and language minorities with an equal opportunity to participate in the political process and to elect candidates of choice and shall not dilute or diminish their ability to elect candidates of choice whether alone or in coalition with others. Districts shall respect communities of interest, neighborhoods, and political subdivisions to the extent practicable. A community of interest is defined as an area with recognized similarities of interests, including ethnic, racial, economic, social, cultural, geographic, or historic identities.
Communities of interest may, in certain circumstances, include political subdivisions such as counties, municipalities, or school districts, but shall not include common relationships with political parties or political candidates. Except to the extent necessary to comply with subsection (a)(2) and
(3)and section 4, in establishing or altering the boundaries of any congressional district of a State, the State may not consider the following criteria: The political party registration or affiliation of the residents of the State. The voting history of the residents of the State. The election results of the precincts of the State. The place of residence of any incumbent, political candidate, or potential political candidate. A State may consider other criteria, in addition to the required criteria under subsection (a), in establishing or altering the boundaries of its congressional districts, to the extent such other criteria do not conflict with the requirements of this section or result in a violation of section 4. The permissible criteria under this subsection may include any of the following: Geographic contiguity and compactness. Respect for counties, cities, and other political subdivisions.
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Sec. 3
Districting criteria
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