Redistricting is the revision or replacement of existing representative districts. It results in new districts with different "lines" or geographical boundaries. The purpose of redistricting is to equalize population in state and congressional districts after publication of the United States census, and to ensure that minority populations are considered.
Redistricting in Texas is mandated by the Texas Constitution of 1876. It requires that the Texas Legislature redraw state representative and senatorial districts every 10 years, coinciding with the U.S. Census. The federal constitution also requires redistricting of congressional seats based on the decennial census.
In 1948, Texas voters approved a constitutional amendment that created a Legislative Redistricting Board to carry out redistricting responsibilities if the Texas Legislature failed to do so during the session.