What are the legal requirements for redistricting after a census?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, the legal requirements for redistricting after a census are established through both constitutional and statutory frameworks:

Constitutional Requirements:

• The Constitution requires a census to be taken every 10 years ^[1]
• State legislatures have the primary role of drawing legislative maps, though Congress has the specific power to intervene and set rules for how redistricting should be conducted ^[2]
• States are required to draw new legislative maps after the census that occurs every decade ^[2]

Statutory Framework:

• Congress codified the decennial census into law in 1954 ^[1]
• Redistricting is the process of redrawing state legislative and congressional district boundaries every 10 years following the decennial U.S. Census ^[3]
• State legislatures or commissions must consider various criteria when deciding how to draw new maps ^[3]

Timing and Process:

• Redistricting typically occurs once every 10 years following the census, as states adjust district boundaries based on population changes ^[4]
• States may gain or lose seats in the process based on population shifts ^{[4] [5] [6]}
• The Census Act permits a mid-decade census for distributing federal funding, but it can't be used for apportionment or redistricting and must be done in a year ending in 5 ^[4]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal several important contextual elements not addressed in the original question:

Political Manipulation and Gerrymandering:

• Texas Republicans have launched efforts to redraw congressional maps to secure more GOP seats in the U.S. House, demonstrating how redistricting can be used for partisan advantage ^[5]
• A decade of Supreme Court rulings have given states increasingly unfettered power in redistricting, suggesting reduced federal oversight ^[2]
• Political parties benefit significantly from controlling the redistricting process, as it allows them to secure more seats and maintain power ^{[5] [6]}

Current Political Developments:

• President Trump attempted to change the U.S. census to exclude noncitizens ^[7], indicating ongoing political battles over census methodology that could affect redistricting
• Texas has kicked off the redistricting fight, with state Republicans convening for a 30-day special session to redraw congressional maps ^[6]
• This has kicked off a battle between blue and red states as other states may follow Texas's lead ^[5]

Technical Considerations:

• The U.S. Census Bureau collects data from all foreign-born individuals, regardless of legal status ^[7], which affects population counts used for redistricting
• The Census Bureau began planning the 2030 census in 2019 ^[1], showing the extensive preparation required

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself does not contain misinformation or bias - it is a straightforward inquiry about legal requirements. However, the question's neutral framing omits the highly politicized nature of redistricting in practice.

Key omissions that could lead to incomplete understanding:

• The question doesn't acknowledge that while there are legal requirements, Supreme Court rulings have given states increasingly unfettered power ^[2], meaning enforcement of fair redistricting standards has weakened
• It fails to mention the ongoing partisan battles where states like Texas are actively using redistricting to secure more GOP seats ^{[5] [6]}
• The question doesn't address current political efforts to change census methodology that could fundamentally alter redistricting outcomes ^[7]

The straightforward legal question masks the reality that redistricting has become a powerful tool for political parties to maintain and expand their influence, with Republican and Democratic state governments both benefiting from controlling the process in their respective states.