Bill · S. 2885· Senate(119-S-2885)
Redistricting Reform Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 9/18/2025
- Last activity
- 9/18/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Alex Padilla
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Redistricting Reform Act of 2025 requires States to use an independent redistricting commission to develop congressional maps. This bill bans mid-decade redistricting and sets specific priorities for drawing districts, such as following the U.S. Constitution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It establishes a process for appointing commission members from majority, minority, and independent categories to prevent partisan favoring. The law provides for public input, transparency through a required website, and federal funding to help States carry out the process. If a State fails to enact a plan, a 3-judge federal court will develop one.
Yes· 3 of 14
Does this protect the right to vote?+9
Bans partisan gerrymandering and mandates independent commissions to protect electoral fairness.
Does this make elections run better?+9
Creates a nonpartisan, transparent system for drawing districts to end partisan gerrymandering.
Would Black Americans be better off under this?+8
Explicitly mandates compliance with the Voting Rights Act to prevent dilution of minority votes.
The opposite
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-7
Reduces state legislative autonomy over the congressional redistricting process.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Prevention of Partisan Advantage: Section 103(c) prohibits redistricting plans that are drawn with the intent or effect of materially favoring or disfavoring any political party.
- Protection of Voting Rights: Section 103(b)(2) and (3) require districts to comply with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to ensure protected groups can participate in the political process and elect representatives of their choice.
- Community Representation: Section 103(b)(4) requires districts to represent communities of interest and neighborhoods to the extent practicable.
- Increased Transparency: Section 203(a) and (b) require the commission to hold public meetings, maintain a searchable website with all records and data, and hold multiple public hearings for input on preliminary plans.
- Financial Assistance for States: Section 401 authorizes payments of $150,000 multiplied by the number of Representatives a State is entitled to, to help operate the commission and implement redistricting plans.
- Accountability for Officials: Section 402(a)(2) allows any citizen of a State aggrieved by a failure to meet the requirements of the Act or Federal law to bring a civil action.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restrictive Eligibility for Commission Members: Section 202(a)(2) disqualifies individuals (and their immediate family members) from serving if they hold public office, are candidates, are registered lobbyists, or are donors to campaigns exceeding $1,000.
- Potential for Court-Imposed Maps: Section 301(b) allows a 3-judge federal court to exclusively develop and publish a State's redistricting plan if the State misses the enactment deadline.
- Strict Non-Partisanship Requirements for Agencies: Section 204(a)(2) requires the agency appointing the commission to be prohibited from advocating for the adoption or rejection of any legislative proposal.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For African Americans+8Good For Asian Americans+8Good For Hispanic Americans+8Good For Native Americans+8Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Urban Residents+5Good For Low Income Households+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Voting Rights+9Improves Racial Equity+8Improves Voting Access+7
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Electoral Process+9Improves Government Transparency+8Increases Federal Power+7Reduces Lobbying+5Increase States Rights-7
- 9/18/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Raphael WarnockDemocrat · Georgia