redistricting: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal / Technical (Political Science, Journalism)
Quick answer
What does “redistricting” mean?
The process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral districts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral districts.
The legislative or administrative act of altering the geographic boundaries of political constituencies, typically to reflect population changes or for political advantage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is far more common in American English due to its regular, politically charged process tied to the US Census. In British English, the equivalent process is usually called 'boundary review' (conducted by impartial commissions).
Connotations
In the US, strongly associated with 'gerrymandering' (manipulating boundaries for partisan gain). In the UK, the process is perceived as more technocratic and less overtly political.
Frequency
High frequency in US political discourse. Low frequency in everyday UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “redistricting” in a Sentence
[The legislature/commission] is redistricting [the state].The [state/city] underwent redistricting.Redistricting occurs [after the census/every ten years].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “redistricting” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The Boundary Commission will begin to redistrict the county next year.
- The council voted against redistricting the borough.
American English
- The state legislature is trying to redistrict before the next election.
- They redistricted the city to create a majority-minority district.
adjective
British English
- The redistricting exercise was highly controversial.
- They published the redistricting proposals for consultation.
American English
- The redistricting battle dominated the state's political agenda.
- A redistricting lawsuit was filed in federal court.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used, except in consulting for government relations.
Academic
Common in political science, law, and sociology papers on elections and representation.
Everyday
Used primarily in news consumption about politics.
Technical
Precise term in electoral law, demography, and geographic information systems (GIS).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “redistricting”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “redistricting”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “redistricting”
- Confusing 'redistricting' (drawing lines) with 'reapportionment' (allocating seats). Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a redistricting') is atypical; it's usually uncountable. Misspelling as 'redistricting'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Redistricting is the neutral, official process of redrawing boundaries. Gerrymandering is the specific, deliberate manipulation of those boundaries for unfair partisan advantage. All gerrymandering involves redistricting, but not all redistricting is gerrymandering.
It typically occurs every ten years, following the release of data from the national census, as required by law to ensure equal representation.
It varies by state. In some US states, it is done by the state legislature (often leading to partisan battles), while others use independent or bipartisan commissions to reduce political influence. In the UK, it is done by independent boundary commissions.
Reapportionment is the process of dividing the fixed number of seats in a legislative body (like the 435 US House seats) among the states based on population. Redistricting is the subsequent process of drawing the specific boundary lines for those seats within each state.
The process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral districts.
Redistricting is usually formal / technical (political science, journalism) in register.
Redistricting: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈdɪstrɪktɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈdɪstrɪktɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[That district is] a product of aggressive redistricting.”
- “They carved up the city through redistricting.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE-DISTRICT-ING. Drawing districts again (RE). It happens in a district. The -ING shows it's an ongoing process.
Conceptual Metaphor
ELECTORAL POLITICS IS A MAP-MAKING BATTLE / POLITICAL POWER IS TERRITORIAL CONTROL.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary catalyst for redistricting in the United States?