Public Law 94-171, enacted by Congress in December 1975, requires the Census Bureau to provide state legislatures with the small area census population tabulations necessary for legislative redistricting. The law also specifies:
The 2010 Census Redistricting Data Program provided states the opportunity to delineate voting and state legislative districts and to suggest census block boundaries for use in the 2010 Census redistricting data tabulations (Public Law 94-171 Redistricting Data File).
The program also ensured continued dialogue with the states in regard to 2010 Census planning, thereby allowing states ample time for planning, response, and participation.
To read more about the 2010 Census Redistricting Data Program, view the other pages of our website and check out our publication:
Designing P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data for the Year 2010 Census - The View From the States [PDF]