Redistricting: Some states tried to leave out partisanship

A few states have turned to independent or arms-length commissions to limit political influences when redrawing congressional and legislative districts.

The results have varied, but supporters point to more competitive contests and new faces replacing incumbents as evidence of reduced gerrymandering, the delicate drawing of often-misshapen districts to benefit one party or the other — or officeholders of either party seeking re-election.