Are there any circumstances in which I would support mid-decade redistricting? It depends. 

California, for example, has the gold standard with respect to independent redistricting commissions. Their process includes allowing the people to decide whether or not to allow the state to draw districts in the middle of a decade. California is a large state where there are several seats at stake.

That being said, there is a real-life impact to voters on the ground when districts are redrawn. Voters may experience confusion about where to vote or who their new representatives are. Additionally, if those who sought to change the districts don’t get the outcome they wanted, where do the changes stop? 

Ultimately, I believe there should be a federal law that prohibits mid-decade redistricting.

Check out more of my discussion on this topic with civil rights attorney Angela Groves in this video.