§ 536Restrictions on Alteration

(a) Except as
provided in subsection (b), there shall be no power to
establish, abolish, divide, consolidate or alter in any manner
an election district during the period from December 31, 2019,
through November 30, 2022, or through resolution of all judicial
appeals to the 2022 Congressional Redistricting Plan, whichever
occurs later. ((a) amended Oct. 31, 2019, P.L.552, No.77)
   (b) During the period from December 31, 2019, through
December 31, 2020, an election district may be divided or
election districts may be combined if the following are met:
   (1) In the case of the division of an election district,
the boundary of each resulting district is composed entirely
of clearly visible physical features conforming with the census
block lines or portions of the original boundary of the election
district which was divided.
   (2) In the case of the combination of election districts,
the boundary of each resulting district is composed entirely
of portions of the original boundaries of the election districts
which were combined.
   ((b) amended Oct. 31, 2019, P.L.552, No.77)
   (c) If an alteration of an election district under
subsection (b) is sought, the following shall apply:
   (1) The county board of elections shall notify the
secretary, in writing, of the proposed alteration. The notice
shall include a map and a description of the proposed boundary
of any new or altered district or districts. The secretary shall
forward a copy of any notice of proposed alteration to the
Legislative Data Processing Center within seven (7) days of
receipt.
   (2) Before a county board of elections may petition the
court for a change in the boundary of an election district under
this section, the secretary must make a determination that the
board has complied with subsection (b). Any of the following
constitute evidence of the determination under this clause:
   (i) A certification by the secretary that the determination
has been made.
   (ii) A certification by the board that notice under this
clause has been given to the secretary and that the secretary
has not acted within forty-five (45) days of the notice.
   (3) The board shall forward a copy of the order approving
any alteration to the secretary and the Legislative Data
Processing Center within seven (7) days of the issuance of that
order.
   (536 amended July 14, 2009, P.L.86, No.20)
  Compiler's Note: See section 4 of Act 20 of 2009 in the
     appendix to this act for special provisions relating to
     reapportionment and redistricting following 2010 census.