Fact check: How many times have us states had a mid cycle redistricting

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, none of the sources offer a specific numerical count of how many times US states have conducted mid-cycle redistricting. However, the sources consistently characterize mid-cycle redistricting as unusual and rare ^{[1] [2] [3]}. The analyses reveal that redistricting typically occurs once a decade after the census ^{[1] [3]}, making mid-decade redistricting departures from standard practice.

The sources highlight Texas Republicans as taking the rare step of drawing new maps in the middle of the decade ^[4], with one analysis noting that Republicans are undertaking a rare mid-decade redistricting for partisan reasons ^[3]. Additionally, Republican lawmaker Rep. Kevin Kiley of California introduced a bill to ban mid-decade redrawing of congressional maps nationwide, suggesting that such practices are not common or widely accepted ^[5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks crucial context about the political motivations and strategic implications of mid-cycle redistricting. The analyses reveal that:

• Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee president Heather Williams suggests that Democratic state legislatures should pursue redistricting mid-cycle as a strategic move to "protect their democracy" ^[4]
• Some Democrats have alleged that Texas GOP efforts are racially motivated and may pursue litigation under the Voting Rights Act ^[5]
• The practice appears to be part of an escalating political battle between parties ^{[1] [2]}

The question also misses the legal and procedural framework - redistricting battles often involve court interventions and legal challenges, with potential implications for upcoming elections like the 2026 midterms ^[6].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself does not contain misinformation, as it's a straightforward factual inquiry. However, the lack of available specific numerical data in the sources suggests that comprehensive tracking of mid-cycle redistricting instances may not be readily accessible or systematically documented.

The analyses indicate potential bias in how different political actors frame mid-cycle redistricting:

• Republicans characterize it as necessary redistricting
• Democrats frame it as partisan gerrymandering or racially motivated manipulation ^[5]

The question's neutral framing actually avoids the partisan characterizations present in the political discourse surrounding this issue, though it may inadvertently suggest that mid-cycle redistricting is more common than the sources indicate it actually is.