To the extent permitted by other controlling considerations and by the geographical configuration of the State, the subdivisions, and election precincts, each legislative district should be compact in form. Although not legally or constitutionally required, Congressional districts, to the extent possible, should be compact. To the extent possible, recognition may also be given to prior legislative boundaries. Due regard should be given to the boundaries of political subdivisions, and, where possible, the splitting of municipalities should be avoided. Due regard should be given to natural boundaries.
Constraints regarding contiguity, compactness and natural and subdivision boundaries then follow.
In addition to the foregoing legal constraints, the following additional guidelines should be considered. To the extent possible, the plan, as adopted, should follow established precinct lines as shown on the 1990 census maps and in the census redistricting population counts. The plan should be cognizant of and consideration given to preserving identifiable communities of interest. It is permissible for the plan to consider existing districts and incumbents. It is recognized that the application of the legal constraints may foreclose a uniform application of guidelines G through J, and that the application of one or more of these guidelines may be precluded, in given situations, by the application of other guidelines.