Vermont is modifying its State Senate and House districts for the upcoming decade based on the 2020 Census as required by the Constitution. The Vermont Legislature will vote on the new districts this session. Learn more about the process and access resources we use to understand redistricting in Vermont.
Big Changes for Senate Districts in 2022
A new law limits Senate districts to three (3) senators or fewer. In previous decades, Senate districts roughly followed county lines, with more senators to represent populous counties like Chittenden senate district with six senators; and fewer senators for counties with smaller populations, such as Orange with one senator. By the new law, Chittenden county will need to be broken up into at least three senate districts.
A proposal of 30 single-member districts was approved by the majority of the Legislative Apportionment Board. Currently, there are 13 districts.
For example, currently most of Chittenden County makes one 6-member senate district. The proposed new Senate districts divide Chittenden County into eight (8) single-member Senate districts. Three of those are districts combine some of Chittenden with some of a neighboring county.
https://sos.vermont.gov/apportionment-board/map-drafts/
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/ac6bf4ffacc249a38ab558b3a3fa684b/page/Senate/
Proposed Single-Member House Districts
Once again the Legislative Apportionment Board is proposing more single-member legislative districts, meaning all or most Vermonters would have one Representative in the Vermont House (currently some districts are double-sized and have two representatives), and that Representative will have fewer than 5,000 constituents.
Smaller, single-member districts can make campaign costs lower, making it easier to run for elected office. Smaller single-member districts also give constituents a single, easily identified representative, and may foster a closer relationship between legislators and the residents of that district. But it is difficult to draw such districts in fair and equal sized without crossing town lines.
The proposed House District map is all single member districts across Vermont.
https://sos.vermont.gov/apportionment-board/map-drafts/
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/45eafabbcbde44beb44fb6e096b9197c/
TimeLine
Note: the Census is usually received by February, and submits its maps to the towns and cities by July 1st, and to the Legislature by August 15. Because of the Census was not received until August, the other deadlines have been pushed back.
The Work of the Vermont Legislative Apportionment Board
Done: Early 2021: The Vermont Legislative Apportionment Board is appointed to draft new district lines.
Done: August 2021: Vermont received the Census data.
Done: The Apportionment Board submits proposed maps
Done: Civil Boards of Authority for each town and city give feedback and/or oppose the maps
Done: November 2021: The Apportionment Board revises and submits its final proposed maps to the Vermont Legislature.
Feel like you missed your chance to weigh in on the process? Contact your local Vermont State Senator and House Representative. The State Legislature still has the power to make adjustments to the maps.
NOW: The Legislature Decides
The House Government Operations Committee considers the proposed maps. Last time (2012) the Committee decided to work from the existing districts, using the Apportionment Board’s maps as reference.
The Legislature will take up redistricting in its 2022 session. (who you elected in 2020)
The House of Representatives approves a map, and sends it to the Senate
The Senate may vote for different maps, sending the plan to Conference Committee
When both chambers approve, the legislation goes to the Governor for signing.
Any Challenge in Court goes to Vermont Supreme Court. 17 V.S.A. § 1909
Resources for Further Study
Highly Recommended:
The State Apportionment Board mini-website. Includes all meeting notes of their process, and a variety of interactive and static maps.
Redistricting IN the News
October 1, 2021 Panel at Middlebury College sponsored by the American Assocation of Geographers. “Vermont Redistricting with Geographers: Local, State and National Impacts ” Recording of a 1-hour 7-minute virtual meetup. https://aag-redistrictingpanels.secure-platform.com/a/solicitations/31/sessiongallery/2544
What are the challenges and issues when redistricting? Check out this interview from during the process.
Tom Little (Special Master of the Vermont Apportionment Board) interviewed by Lauren-Glenn Davitian on Town Meeting TV (Previous interview)
