Critical U.S. Census data needed to redraw the lines of Colorado’s congressional and legislative districts is severely delayed — and state leaders aren’t sure what to do about it.
Colorado is constitutionally required to conduct the redistricting process in 2021. And the state’s citizen commissions tasked with the job must submit proposed maps by Sept. 1 (congressional) and Sept. 15 (legislative). Only, Census officials say the data won’t be available until Sept. 30.
It’s a result of pandemic-related delays and interference from the Trump administration, The New York Times reported.
“We are essentially dead in the water until you get that data. You can’t draw a map until you have it,” said Jessika Shipley, staff director for the Colorado Independent Redistricting Commissions.
“It means we have to figure out a legal work-around (to) the constitution, and how to make that work,” she added. “We’re currently in the process of exploring every option we have.”
