Fact check: Is gerrymandering always done after the census

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, gerrymandering is not always done after the census, though it typically follows this pattern. The evidence shows that while redistricting usually occurs at the beginning of each decade to reflect changes in population from the latest census ^[1], there are notable exceptions to this standard practice.

Maps are typically redrawn following each decennial US Census to account for population changes and protect equal representation ^[2]. However, the analyses reveal that Texas Republicans' recent move to redraw the state's congressional districts in the middle of the decade has little precedent ^[3], demonstrating that gerrymandering can occur outside the traditional census cycle.

The sources indicate that redistricting can occur due to legal challenges or political maneuvers ^[4], and that gerrymandering can happen at any time, not strictly after the census ^[5]. This suggests that while the census provides the most common trigger for redistricting, it is not the exclusive circumstance under which gerrymandering occurs.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important context about the legal and political circumstances that can trigger redistricting outside of the census cycle. The analyses reveal that court challenges and political strategies can force redistricting at any point during the decade ^[4], which is a crucial aspect missing from the simple census-focused framing.

State legislatures and political parties benefit significantly from controlling the timing of redistricting. When redistricting occurs outside the normal census cycle, it often represents a strategic power grab by the controlling party to maximize their electoral advantages ^[6]. The analyses suggest that some states have taken gerrymandering to their limit and made it extremely hard for state legislatures to revert their boundaries to more fair areas ^[1].

The question also omits the fact that redistricting efforts can impact upcoming elections regardless of timing, as evidenced by discussions of how current redistricting battles could impact the 2026 midterms ^[5].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

While the original question doesn't contain explicit misinformation, it presents an oversimplified view of the redistricting process by implying that gerrymandering follows a predictable, census-based schedule. This framing could mislead people into believing that gerrymandering is a routine, regulated process that only occurs every ten years.

The question fails to acknowledge that mid-decade redistricting, while having little precedent, can and does occur ^[3]. This omission could benefit those who engage in strategic redistricting outside normal cycles by making such actions appear more unusual or illegitimate than they actually are in practice.

The binary framing of "always" versus the reality that gerrymandering typically but not exclusively follows the census could inadvertently support narratives that either normalize mid-decade redistricting or dismiss it as completely unprecedented, when the truth lies somewhere in between.