What is redistricting? 

According to the Texas comptroller website, “redistricting is the process of redrawing district boundaries to guarantee equal voter representation through equal, or equivalent, population counts.” 

Click here to read "Redistricting 101" on the Texas Comptroller website for more information.

Why are Texas school districts required to redistrict?

Texas Education Code sections 11.052 and 11.053 require that school districts redivide single-member districts if the most populous single-member district exceeds the population of the least populous district by more than 10%.

Texas school boards, like many other electoral entities, redistrict every ten years following the census for a couple of crucial reasons. Firstly, redistricting ensures that electoral districts accurately reflect changes in population distribution. The census provides updated demographic data, allowing for a more equitable distribution of representation based on the principle of one person, one vote.

Secondly, redistricting helps address any potential manipulation of district boundaries to favor a particular party or group. By revisiting and adjusting these boundaries regularly, school boards aim to maintain fairness and prevent any undue concentration or dilution of voting power.

In simpler language… 

Every ten years, the board of trustees in Texas school districts are required to use the U.S. Census data to look at where everyone lives and ensure that each area still has a fair number of people. If some places became more crowded or other areas lost residents, the lines need to be redrawn on the district map so that each area still has a fair say in how things are run. It's like making sure everyone's opinions count and things stay fair for everyone.

What data is used in order to determine whether districts are balanced?

The U.S. Census data is used to determine whether single-member districts are balanced.

What is U.S. Census data? 

Every 10 years the U.S. Census Bureau conducts a national campaign to count every resident in the United States. The data collected provides information about our nation’s people and economy. The most recent census was in 2020. 

What census will be used for the 2023 redistricting process?

This redistricting process is based on the 2020 census.

Click here to learn more about the U.S. Census data.

What are the requirements of single-member districts?

Single-member districts must be drawn with no more than a 10% variance in populations. The total deviation between the largest and smallest single-member district must be at or below 10%. Single-member districts must be compliant with section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. 

Will redistricting impact the RISD school attendance zone?

Redistricting will not change the outermost boundary of RISD.  All RISD households will remain within RISD. Redistricting does not impact school attendance zones in any way.

Can the district choose to leave our existing districts exactly as they are now? 

No, redistricting for RISD is not a choice. It is a requirement based on population changes in the 2020 U.S. Census data.

Dividing a small population of less than 1000 into 7 single-member districts can pose a significant disadvantage. Each district has a very limited number of residents, potentially leading to challenges in ensuring diverse and effective representation. Additionally, with such small districts, individuals who are willing and capable of taking on leadership roles may be scarce, potentially limiting the pool of qualified candidates for public office. This could hinder the overall democratic process within the community. In other words, the disadvantage lies in the potential for diluted representation and limited choices for the residents in each district.

Dividing a small population of less than 1000 into 7 single-member districts could have potential advantages. Elected officials may work to more closely connect with the specific needs and concerns of their small district. With smaller districts, residents may find it easier to engage with their representatives. 

The combination of single-member and at-large districts might initially introduce confusion among voters in terms of elections. Candidates running in single-member districts would only need to campaign in a small area, but candidates running for an at-large position would need to campaign within the entire district. This could be viewed by some as a disadvantage of an at large position.

This hybrid approach aims to combine the strengths of both localized and community-wide representation. This balance can lead to more comprehensive and effective governance in a small population.

Integrating at-large members provides an additional layer of representation on the board and bring in individuals who must consider and represent the broader interests of the entire community. With a small population, having a portion of the board elected at-large can contribute to a more diverse and well-rounded leadership team.