Redistricting

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Explain the process to me. How does one know where to draw the lines?

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1. Politicians (ideally) check the latest census data release for the most recent numbers on population densities around the state.
2. Preparation - Legislators (read: their staff/demographers) analyzes data and drafts maps (they may hold public hearings but if they do it's really more of "this is what we're doing" rather than "we would like your input").
-2a. Some consideration is given to which politician is liked/disliked in order to keep them safe for the next election or make sure they can't win again (see: Garret Graves/Cleo Fields).
-2b. There is absolutely consideration given to party affiliation with the party which controls the legislature trying to increase their numbers through redistricting.
3. Legislative action. This is where bills are introduced, committee reviews happen, floor votes in House and Senate and (if passed) the Governor signs/vetoes (with a veto override possible).
4. Implementation: Plans for the new district boundaries are filed with Secretary of State, Clerk of Court, and Registrar of Voters. Normally, this must meet deadlines before candidate qualifying.
5. Often there is initial litigation attempts in court. Maps are frequently challenged in state/federal court on equal protection, Voting Rights Act, or other grounds. Courts may order remedial maps or draw them if needed.

The scenario we're in now is that an existing district has been declared unconstitutional right as early voting has begun. Legally, the race for that district cannot be run until it's no longer deemed unconstitutional so that specific race (which also means all HOR races in the state) is on pause until re-districting can happen (which has been stated to happen before this legislative session ends).

In practice it's largely done by whichever party has power with a long term view towards preserving incumbents and the majority in power in the state houses.

It's distasteful to most people because it's shifting the chips to one team vs another. It's not an even playing field. Rightly some districts have been unconstitutional due to race being the primary reasons for lines drawn.

It should be by population density, done by computers. End of discussion. The human element is too prone to self preservation via redistricting games rather than hard work of winning voters.