Section 2

A. Congressional Redistricting

A.1. Redistricting Frequency

Congressional districts shall be redrawn every ten years, in the odd-numbered year following the publication of the national census. No State, commission, or other authority may redraw or revise congressional districts at any other time.

A.2. Commissioner Selection and Screening

Each redistricting commission shall consist of seven (7) members selected by random lottery from among the registered voters of the State, and an equal number of alternates shall be selected in the same manner.

Following selection, each commissioner and alternate shall be subject to a screening conducted by a Federal District Judge or their designated magistrate. The screening may occur in person or by secure video conference, and shall assess basic mental competence, English language comprehension, and whether good cause exists for excusal from service. No person may be excused or disqualified except on the basis of incapacity, undue hardship, or clear unfitness to perform the duties required.

Service as a commissioner or alternate is a compulsory Civic Duty (see Article I, Section 2.C.2 for the link between Civic Duty and Civic Powers, and Article IV, Section 4.A.3 for Citizens’ standing to challenge dereliction of such duties). Refusal to serve, unless excused through the judicial screening process, shall constitute a failure to fulfill Civic Duty as defined by this Charter.

If an alternate is excused, removed, or becomes incapable of serving, a replacement shall be selected by random lottery from the same pool of eligible Citizens.

Commissioners and alternates must be selected by June 30 in each census year. The slate must be publicly published, including names and home counties.

A.3. Redistricting Standards and Priorities

Congressional districts shall be drawn according to the following order of priority:

1. Equal Population. Districts shall be drawn to achieve equal population. No district may differ from the average district size by more than one hundred thousand (100,000) persons.

2. Communities of Interest. Districts shall preserve the integrity of communities of interest. A community of interest is defined as a population sharing significant social, cultural, economic, or historical characteristics. Districts may not be drawn to favor or disadvantage any political party or political group.

3. Geographic Compactness. Geographic compactness shall be measured by how closely a district’s shape maintains a uniform distance from its center to its outer boundary. Districts should resemble basic geometric forms, such as circles or squares, except where irregular shapes are necessary to preserve a community of interest, to meet population equality, or to respect State boundaries or geographic features.

A.4. Commission Transparency

Each redistricting commission shall publish a summary of each meeting, vote, or formal consultation within forty-eight (48) hours. All other documents, minutes, deliberations, et cetera must be published with reasonable promptness, but also with due care for accessibility and clarity.

A.5. Commission Function and Administration

Each commission must meet regularly beginning January 2 until final maps are submitted, in person or by secure virtual conference. A majority of commissioners will constitute a quorum. The Federal Elections Commission must provide administrative support. Final maps must be submitted to the Provincial Court by the end of the calendar year, with limited extensions available under extraordinary circumstances.

A.6. Mandated Judicial Review

The Provincial Court shall review all submitted district maps for constitutionality. If the court finds the maps unconstitutional, the previously enacted districts shall remain in effect for one election cycle, and a new redistricting commission shall be empaneled following the same procedures. The second commission shall follow the same rules as the first and may request guidance from the Provincial Court during its deliberations. If the second commission’s maps are found unconstitutional, a new commission shall be seated using the same process. This cycle shall continue until a valid map is approved. If no valid map is in place by the end of the next session of Congress, the State shall lose its representation in the House until the next redistricting cycle, so long as a valid map has been approved by then. Representation may only be restored through participation in the next scheduled Congressional election following approval of a valid map.

Once approved, district maps shall remain in effect until the next redistricting cycle. No changes may be made unless expressly required by this Charter or by a final ruling of a court with jurisdiction.

A.7. Transparency

The Federal Elections Commission shall maintain a public archive of all final district maps, commission records, court rulings, and related materials. All such materials shall be made accessible to the public in a searchable, permanent online database.