The Legislative Assembly or the Secretary of State, whichever is applicable, shall consider the following criteria when apportioning the state into congressional and legislative districts:

1. (1) Each district, as nearly as practicable, shall:

   1. (a) Be contiguous;
   2. (b) Be of equal population;
   3. (c) Utilize existing geographic or political boundaries;
   4. (d) Not divide communities of common interest; and
   5. (e) Be connected by transportation links.
2. (2) No district shall be drawn for the purpose of favoring any political party, incumbent legislator or other person.
3. (3) No district shall be drawn for the purpose of diluting the voting strength of any language or ethnic minority group.
4. (4) Two state House of Representatives districts shall be wholly included within a single state senatorial district.

[1979 c.667 §1; 1981 c.864 §2]