CRANBERRY TWP — Monday was the deadline for the General Assembly to pass and the governor to sign new U.S. House and state legislative maps to not affect the May primary elections’ timeframe.

No new map is in effect, however.

What happens now depends on whether the legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf can come to an agreement before Jan. 30, how the state courts rule, and whether the extant General Assembly maps apply for the 2022 elections.

All 50 states must update their U.S. House legislative maps — which determines who lives in what House district — every 10 years based on census data. Pennsylvania requires its General Assembly maps to be updated every 10 years, as well.

Adding complication to the redistricting process is that Pennsylvania’s representation in the federal government will decrease from 18 to 17 legislative districts beginning in January 2023 as a result of the census numbers.

A portion of this story is shared with you as a digital media exclusive. To read the full story and support our local, independent newsroom, please subscribe at butlereagle.com.