H.R. 5879: SAD Act

This bill, titled the "Save American Democracy Act" or "SAD Act," aims to impose regulations on how states manage congressional redistricting following the completion of the decennial census. Here’s a breakdown of its key components:

Purpose of the Bill

The bill seeks to limit the ability of states to redraw their congressional district boundaries to only once after each decennial census and apportionment, with some exceptions. This is intended to provide more stability and predictability in the congressional district mapping process.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition on Mid-Decade Redistricting: States that have already completed redistricting after the most recent census cannot redistrict again until the next census, except in certain situations.
• Exceptions to the Prohibition: There are two specific circumstances under which a state may redraw district maps again before the next apportionment:
  • If a court mandates a new redistricting to comply with the U.S. Constitution, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, or the state constitution.
  • If state legislation specifically requires a new redistricting.
• No Impact on State and Local Elections: The bill clarifies that it does not affect how states conduct elections for state or local offices.

Constitutional Authority

The bill grounds its authority in the U.S. Constitution, referencing:

• Article I, Section 4, which grants Congress the power to regulate election processes.
• Section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment, which allows Congress to enforce laws regarding the apportionment of representatives.

Effective Date

The regulations outlined in this bill would be applicable to any congressional redistricting that occurs following the decennial census conducted in 2020.

Relevant Companies

None found.