Fact check: How many states have redistricted prior to a census prior to 2020

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, there is limited specific information available to directly answer the question about how many states redistricted prior to a census before 2020. The sources primarily focus on the 2020 redistricting cycle and its aftermath rather than historical pre-census redistricting patterns.

The most relevant finding comes from one source which indicates that Texas redistricted in 2003, demonstrating that at least one state has engaged in mid-decade redistricting prior to 2020 ^[1]. This source notes that while it's "unusual, but not unprecedented, to redraw those maps in the middle of the decade," it does not provide a comprehensive count of states that have done so.

The analyses reveal that redistricting typically occurs once every 10 years following the census ^[2], which is the standard constitutional practice. However, the sources indicate that mid-decade redistricting has occurred, with Texas serving as a documented example from 2003.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks several important contextual elements that would provide a more complete understanding:

• Historical precedent and frequency: While Texas's 2003 redistricting is mentioned ^[1], there is no comprehensive historical analysis of how many other states have engaged in similar practices across different decades.
• Legal framework: The analyses reference significant Supreme Court cases like Baker v. Carr, Reynolds v. Sims, Thornburg v. Gingles, and Shaw v. Reno ^[3], which established crucial redistricting principles, but don't connect these to pre-census redistricting practices.
• Current political dynamics: The sources reveal that Trump is currently pressuring Republicans in Texas to redistrict again and is engaged in similar discussions in other GOP-controlled states including Missouri and Indiana ^{[2] [4]}. This suggests that mid-decade redistricting remains a contemporary political strategy.
• Litigation patterns: One analysis shows that 111 lawsuits were filed challenging maps drawn with 2020 census data, with two-thirds of all states seeing litigation over their maps ^[5], indicating the contentious nature of redistricting processes.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself does not contain explicit misinformation, but it may reflect certain assumptions or gaps:

• Incomplete scope: The question focuses specifically on pre-2020 activity but doesn't acknowledge that mid-decade redistricting continues to be a relevant political issue, as evidenced by current Republican efforts in multiple states ^[2].
• Missing political context: The question doesn't address the partisan motivations behind mid-decade redistricting. The sources indicate that such efforts are often driven by political parties seeking to "pick up more seats in the U.S. House" ^[4], suggesting that redistricting outside the normal census cycle is typically a strategic political maneuver rather than a routine administrative process.
• Lack of legal distinction: The question doesn't differentiate between legally mandated redistricting (following census data) and politically motivated redistricting, which represents a significant conceptual gap in understanding the practice.

The analyses suggest that while the practice exists, comprehensive data on the exact number of states that have redistricted prior to a census before 2020 is not readily available in the sources provided.