Fact check: What are the exceptions to the census-based redistricting rule in the US?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, there are several key exceptions to the standard census-based redistricting rule in the United States:

Primary Exception: Mid-Cycle Redistricting

The most significant exception is mid-cycle redistricting, which allows states to redraw district maps between the standard 10-year census periods. While redistricting typically occurs once per decade following U.S. Census data release ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}, there is no national impediment to states attempting to redraw districts in the middle of the decade for political reasons ^[5].

Court-Ordered Redistricting

Another established exception occurs in response to court rulings that may require states to redraw their maps outside the normal census cycle ^[5].

Prisoner Reallocation Policies

Some states have implemented policies to reallocate prisoners and inmates to their home addresses for redistricting purposes, rather than counting them where they are incarcerated, which represents a modification to standard census-based counting ^[6].

Proposed Exception: Noncitizen Exclusion

Republicans are actively pushing to exclude noncitizens from apportionment counts, despite the 14th Amendment stating that the "whole number of persons in each state" must be included ^[7].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal important political motivations behind these exceptions that weren't addressed in the original question:

Political Power Dynamics

Mid-cycle redistricting is typically prompted by changes in legislative power and is often used for partisan advantage ^{[1] [5]}. Texas Republicans specifically want to break tradition by redistricting mid-decade for political gain ^[8], with the potential to pick up 5 House seats ^[9].

Cascading Political Effects

The analyses show that when one state like Texas pursues mid-cycle redistricting, Democrats in other states like New York and California consider similar actions in response ^[2]. More than a dozen states could potentially redraw congressional districts before the 2026 midterms ^[4].

State-Level Variations

While there's no federal prohibition, some states have their own laws that prevent or make mid-cycle redistricting difficult ^[5], creating a patchwork of different rules across states.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears neutral and factual in seeking information about exceptions to redistricting rules. However, it lacks important context about:

• The political motivations driving these exceptions, particularly how they benefit specific parties seeking electoral advantage
• The rarity and controversial nature of mid-cycle redistricting, which the analyses describe as breaking with tradition ^{[8] [9]}
• The ongoing legal and political battles surrounding these exceptions, including dramatic tactics like Democrats fleeing Texas to prevent redistricting votes ^{[1] [2]}

The question's framing as simply asking about "exceptions" doesn't capture the highly partisan and strategic nature of how these exceptions are actually being deployed in practice.