Fact check: Has there ever been congressional redistricting five years before a census

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, congressional redistricting five years before a census is extremely rare and faces significant legal and constitutional obstacles. The sources indicate that state laws and constitutions make mid-decade redistricting virtually impossible in many places ^[1], suggesting this practice is not historically common.

Currently, Texas is attempting to redraw congressional maps mid-decade, which is described as unusual ^[2]. In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom is moving forward with plans to redraw the state's congressional maps ^[3], with Newsom stating that California will not stand by and watch while Texas and President Trump attempt to rig the system ^[3].

The analyses reveal that several states including Missouri, Ohio, New York, Illinois, Indiana, and Florida are considering redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterms ^[1], though such redistricting is rare and often faces legal and constitutional challenges ^[1].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks crucial context about the current political motivations driving mid-decade redistricting efforts. The analyses show this is not merely a historical inquiry but relates to ongoing partisan battles between Republican-controlled Texas and Democratic-controlled California ^[3].

Key missing context includes:

• The constitutional and legal barriers: California's constitution requires a special election to approve any changes to the state's electoral map, making the process more difficult and time-intensive than in Texas ^[3]
• The precedent-setting nature: New York Democrats have introduced a bill that would allow mid-decade redistricting, but only if another state has done so first ^[4]
• Timeline constraints: New York's proposal faces passage in two consecutive legislative sessions and approval by voters, and would not take effect until the 2028 elections ^[4]
• Federal oversight considerations: There are discussions about a mid-decade census, though Congress has final say over the census and such action would be unprecedented and potentially face legal hurdles ^[5]

Beneficiaries of different narratives:

• Republican strategists and Texas leadership benefit from portraying mid-decade redistricting as legally permissible and strategically necessary
• Democratic governors like Gavin Newsom benefit from framing their redistricting efforts as defensive responses to Republican gerrymandering
• Legal and political consulting firms benefit financially from the complex redistricting battles across multiple states

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears neutral but lacks acknowledgment of the current political context driving interest in this topic. By framing this as a purely historical question, it omits the immediate partisan implications of ongoing redistricting battles ^{[2] [3]}.

The question's timing coincides with active redistricting efforts by Texas Republicans and retaliatory measures by California Democrats ^[3], suggesting the inquiry may be politically motivated rather than academically neutral.

Additionally, the question fails to specify whether it's asking about legal precedent, constitutional permissibility, or practical implementation, which are distinct issues with different answers based on the legal and constitutional barriers described ^{[3] [1]}.