Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act of 2009

The Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act of 2009 (S. 1332) would require states to use independent commissions, rather than state legislatures, to draw the boundaries for U.S. Congressional districts. To prevent political parties from redrawing maps mid-decade for partisan advantage, the bill limits redistricting to once every ten years following the national census, unless a court orders a change to comply with the Constitution or the Voting Rights Act. For citizens, this would mean that voting maps are created through a public process involving open meetings and online transparency, with the goal of ensuring that district lines are drawn by nonpartisan bodies rather than politicians.