Although redistricting is a state function, the U.S. Census Bureau performs an important role in the process — providing quality data to the states from the census that states may choose to use in redistricting.

From our extensive reviews, we are confident that the Public Law 94-171 Redistricting Data Summary Files meet our high data-quality standards.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly delayed our schedule for collecting and processing the data for the 2020 Census. These delays pushed back our delivery of the redistricting data to the states.

We understand these delays affect states that use our data, especially those under tight schedules for redistricting and upcoming elections. To provide some relief and to provide these data to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico as soon as possible, we’re providing the same data in two releases.

The first release by August 16 is timelier in its delivery, and the second release by September 30 is easier to use. Put another way, the redistricting data released in August and September contain the exact same information but are presented in different formats.