remeandering

Remeandering is the process of redrawing electoral district boundaries after an initial map has been challenged, rejected, or superseded, with the aim of correcting constitutional or legal deficiencies or adapting to population changes. The term is mainly used in the United States, where redistricting occurs following the decennial census or court orders that invalidate existing maps. It is not a formal technical term in the field of political geography, but a descriptive label used by journalists and scholars.

Remeandering can be prompted by judicial rulings that a map violates equal protection or the Voting Rights Act, by statutory requirements to create contiguous, compact, and reasonably sized districts, or by population shifts that render districts unequal. The process may be undertaken by state legislatures, independent redistricting commissions, or courts, and may involve drafting new maps to meet legal standards and improve representation. In practice, remedial redistricting aims to produce neutral or more defensible districts, but debates persist about the extent to which the remapped districts reduce or preserve partisan advantage, and how independent the process is from political influence.

Critics argue that remeandering can still serve partisan interests if the drawing body lacks independence, while proponents say it is a necessary mechanism to restore compliance and public trust after flawed maps. The term remains more common in legal and political commentary than in formal technical literature.

See also: Gerrymandering, Redistricting, Voting Rights Act, Electoral geography, Political representation.