Legislative District
Match Data Set
Provider: Aristotle
The District Match Data Set (DMDS) is a set of five files used to link zip codes from addresses to legislative districts and legislators. The five files are:
- Zip Code to Legislative District File (ZtoD File): The nine-digit ZIP Code to Legislative District (ZtoD) file is the primary file contained in a District Match Data Set (DMDS). The ZtoD file contains one record per zip code for every zip code in the licensed geography. If purchased for nationwide use, the file will contain all nine digit zip codes nationwide. If purchased for a single state, or for multiple states, multiple ZtoD files will be used. One separate and distinct file for each state licensed.
- Census File: The Census file contains state, county, and equivalent names for the licensed geography. The state, county and equivalent name for the location of a zip code contained in the ZtoD file can be determined by using the Census file.
- Legislative District Name Code File: The Legislative District Name Code file contains legislative district names for the licensed geography. A legislative district name associated with a zip code contained in the ZtoD file can be determined by using the Legislative District Name Code file.
- Legislator Identification File: The Legislator Identification file contains legislator names, contact information and committee / subcommittee code assignments for legislators in the licensed geography. The names, contact information and committee / subcommittee code assignments associated with a zip code contained in the ZtoD file can be determined by using the Legislator Identification file.
- Committee / Subcommittee File: The Committee / Subcommittee file contains committee / subcommittee names. The committee / subcommittee name for a committee / subcommittee code contained in the Legislator Identification file can be determined by using the Committee / Subcommittee file.
Available formats include .dbf, fixed text, and comma-delimited text. Please contact us for pricing information.
Linking to the ZtoD File Examples
Example 1
The example below illustrates linking an address file to the ZtoD file, and the ZtoD File to the Legislative District Name Code File for the US Senate. The process is the same to link the ZtoD File to Legislator(s) in the Legislator Identification File.
Note: The District Type Code “0” and the District Code “000” must be supplied by the application accessing the data files.
Example 2
The example below illustrates linking an Address File to the ZtoD File, and, the ZtoD File to the Legislative District Name Code File for a District in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Process is the same to link the ZtoD File to a Legislator in the Legislator Identification File.
Note: The District Type Code “1” must be supplied by the application program accessing the data files. The application program must also create a three-position District Code by adding (concatenating) the character zero in front of the Congressional District Code contained in the ZtoD File. This is required only for U.S. House of Representatives.
Example 3
The example below illustrates linking an address file to the ZtoD File, and, the Ztod File to the Legislative District Name Code File for a District in the State Upper Legislature. The process is the same to link the ZtoD File to Legislator(s) in the Legislator Identification File.
Note: The District Type Code “2” must be supplied by the application accessing the data files.
Example 4
The example below illustrates linking an address file to the ZtoD File, and, the Ztod File to the Legislative District Name Code File for a District in the State Lower Legislature. The process is the same to link the ZtoD File to Legislator(s) in the Legislator Identification File.
Note: The District Type Code “3” must be supplied by the application accessing the data files.
ZtoD File
Nine-Digit Zip Code to Legislative District (ZtoD) File Layout
| Field | Type | Length | Position | Description |
| ZIP Code | Character | 9 | 01-09 | The 9-digit ZIP code |
| Congressional District Code | Character | 2 | 10-11 | Code to identify the U.S. Congressional District |
| State Upper District Code | Character | 3 | 12-14 | Code to identify the State Upper Legislative District |
| State Lower District Code | Character | 3 | 15-17 | Code to identify the State Lower Legislative District |
| State Census Code | Character | 2 | 18-19 | Code used by the Census Bureau to identify the U.S. State |
| County Census Code | Character | 3 | 20-22 | Code used by the Census Bureau to identify the County |
| Centroid Type | Character | 1 | 23-23 | Code to identify the how the zip code was assigned to the Legislative Districts |
| Record Type | Character | 2 | 24-25 | Code to identify the address type for the zip code |
| Peculiarity Flag | Character | 1 | 26-26 | Code to identify if the zip code is assigned to more than one legislative district |
DMDS Distribution Naming Convention
The ZtoD filename for a nationwide District Match Data Set (DMDS) will have a two-position release number embedded in the filename and will begin with US. For example the nationwide DMDS ZtoD filename for release 6.2 will begin with US62ZD, and for release 7.0 will begin with US70ZD.
The ZtoD filename for a Single State DMDS will have a two-position release number embedded and will begin with the state name abbreviation. For example UT70ZD is the ZtoD filename for Utah and contains data for release 7.0.
The filename extension will be .DBF for a dbase III compatible file or .LDS for fixed length fields, fixed length records.
Using the ZtoD File to Access Other Files in the DMDS
The zip to district file will be the first LDS DMDS file accessed to determine the legislative district(s) for a nine digit zip. Once a nine digit zip code is found in the ZtoD file, the keys identified below can be created to access other files in the LDS District Match Data Set (DMDS). Some of the information used in the keys is retrieved from the ZtoD file while the application program accessing the DMDS files must supply other information.
| DMDS File Accessed | Data Supplied from the ZtoD or Application | Source | Data Retrieved |
| Census File | State Census Code | ZtoD File | State Name |
| “000” as the County Census Code | Application Program | State Name | |
| Census File | State Census Code | ZtoD File | County Name |
| State Census Code | County Census Code | County Name | |
| Legislative District Name Code Table | State Census Code | ZtoD File | US Senate District Text Name |
| “0” as the District Type Code | Application Program | US Senate District Text Name | |
| “000” as the District Type Code | Application Program | US Senate District Text Name | |
| Legislative District Name Code Table | State Census Code | ZtoD File | US Congressional District Text Name |
| “1” as the District Type Code | Application Program | US Congressional District Text Name | |
| “0” application supplied concatenated with the 2-position Congressional District Code | Application Program with ZtoD File | US Congressional District Text Name | |
| Legislative District Name Code Table | State Census Code | ZtoD File | State Upper Legislative Chamber District Text Name |
| “2” application supplied District Type Code | Application Program | State Upper Legislative Chamber District Text Name | |
| State Upper District Code | ZtoD File | State Upper Legislative Chamber District Text Name | |
| Legislative District Name Code Table | State Census Code | ZtoD File | State Lower Legislative Chamber District Text Name |
| “3” application supplied District Type Code | Application Program | State Lower Legislative Chamber District Text Name | |
| State Lower District Code | ZtoD File | State Lower Legislative Chamber District Text Name | |
| Legislator Identification File | State Census Code | ZtoD File | US Senate Legislator Information |
| “0” as the District Type Code | Application Program | US Senate Legislator Information | |
| “000” as the District Code | Application Program | US Senate Legislator Information | |
| Legislator Identification File | State Census Code | ZtoD File | US Congressional Legislator Information |
| “1” as the District Type Code | Application Program | US Congressional Legislator Information | |
| “0” application supplied concatenated with the 2-position Congressional District Code | Application Program with ZtoD File | US Congressional Legislator Information | |
| Legislator Identification File | State Census Code | ZtoD File | State Upper Legislative Chamber Legislator Information |
| “2” as the District Type Code | Application Program | State Upper Legislative Chamber Legislator Information | |
| State Upper District Code | ZtoD File | State Upper Legislative Chamber Legislator Information | |
| Legislator Identification File | State Census Code | ZtoD File | State Lower Legislative Chamber Legislator Information |
| “3” as the District Type Code | Application Program | State Lower Legislative Chamber Legislator Information | |
| State Lower District Code | Application Program | State Lower Legislative Chamber Legislator Information | |
| Legislator Identification File | State Census Code | ZtoD File | State Governor Information |
| “7” as the District Type Code | Application Program | State Governor Information | |
| “000” as the District Code | Application Program | State Governor Information |
Additional Information About the Codes Contained in the ZtoD File
The tables below define the codes contained in the Centroid Type, Record Type and Peculiarity Flag fields in the ZtoD File.
Centroid Type
| Code | Definition |
| 1 | The ZIP+4 was geographically assigned by the ZIP+4 boundary. |
| 2 | The ZIP+4 was geographically assigned by the ZIP+2 boundary. |
| 3 | The ZIP+4 was geographically assigned by the five-digit ZIP code boundary. |
Record Type
| Code | Definition |
| 00 | The plus four of the zip code is 0000. The district assignments are for the center of the five digit zip code. |
| 10 | The zip plus four is for a street. |
| 14 | The zip plus four is for a PO Box. The District assignments will be for the location of Post Office. |
| 18 | The zip plus for is for a Rural Route Address. |
| 20 | The zip plus four is for a commercial building, apartment complex, high-rise building, a wing or floor of a building or location other then a standard street. |
| 21 | The zip code is for a firm receiving large amounts of mail at one location. Many zip plus fours may be delivered to the same location and sorted by the plus four by a mail room for distribution to other locations. |
| 22 | The plus four of the zip code identifies delivery to the Postmaster for the Zip Code. |
| 16 | The plus four of the zip code identifies General Delivery for the Zip Code. |
Peculiarity Flag
| Code | Definition |
| ! | The location of the zip plus four is in one district. |
| * | The location of the zip plus four is in more then one district. A single district assignment was selected. |
Census File
The Census File
| Field | Type | Length | Position | Description |
| State Census Code | Character | 2 | 01-02 | Code used by the Census Bureau to identify the U.S. State |
| County Census Code | Character | 3 | 03-05 | Code used by the Census Bureau to identify the County |
| Name | Character | 50 | 06-55 | Name assigned to the State / County Census Code |
| End of Record Marker | Character | 1 | 56-56 | Identifies the end of the record “<” constant |
DMDS Distribution Naming Convention
The Census file filename for a nationwide DMDS file will be CENSUS.
The Census file filename for a single state DMDS will begin with the state name abbreviation. For example the census filename for a Utah DMDS will be UTCENSUS.
The filename extension will be .DBF for a dbase III compatible file or .LDS for fixed length fields, fixed length records.
Name Code File
The Legislative District Name Code File
| Field | Type | Length | Position | Description |
| State Census Code | Character | 2 | 01-02 | Code used by the Census Bureau to identify the U.S. State |
| District Type Code | Character | 1 | 03-03 | Code used to identify the legislative chamber |
| District Code | Character | 3 | 04-06 | Code used to identify the district for the legislative chamber |
| District Name | Character | 50 | 07-56 | The text name of the legislative district |
| End of Record Marker | Character | 1 | 57-57 | Identifies the end of record marker “<” constant |
DMDS Distribution Naming Convention
The Legislative District Name Code file filename for a nationwide DMDS file will be LDCODE.
The Legislative District Name Code file filename for a single state DMDS will begin with the state name abbreviation. For example the Legislator District Name Code file filename for a Utah DMDS will be UTLDCOD.
The filename extension will be .DBF for a dbase III compatible file or .LDS for fixed length fields, fixed length records.
Legislator ID File
The Legislator Identification File
| Field | Type | Length | Position | Description |
| State Census Code | Character | 2 | 001-002 | Code used by the Census Bureau to identify the U.S. State |
| District Type Code | Character | 1 | 003-003 | Code used to identify the legislative chamber |
| District Code | Character | 3 | 004-006 | Code used to identify the district for the legislative chamber |
| Legislator Identification Number | Character | 6 | 007-012 | A unique number assigned to the legislator by LDS and maintained by LDS |
| Title of Legislator | Character | 15 | 013-027 | Legislator’s Title |
| First Name of Legislator | Character | 12 | 028-039 | Legislator’s First Name |
| Middle Name of Legislator | Character | 12 | 040-051 | Legislator’s Middle Name |
| Last Name of Legislator | Character | 20 | 052-071 | Legislator’s Last Name |
| Suffix of Legislator Name | Character | 3 | 072-074 | Legislator’s Name Suffix |
| Party Affiliation | Character | 3 | 075-077 | Legislator’s Party Affiliation |
| Gender | Character | 1 | 078-078 | Legislator’s Gender |
| District Office Address Line 1 | Character | 40 | 079-118 | Address Line 1 for the Legislator’s District Office Address |
| District Office Address Line 2 | Character | 40 | 119-158 | Address Line 2 for the Legislator’s District Office Address |
| District Office Address City | Character | 20 | 159-178 | City for the Legislator’s District Office Address |
| District Office Address State Abbreviation | Character | 2 | 179-180 | State Abbreviation for the Legislator’s District Office Address |
| District Office Address Zip+4 | Character | 9 | 181-189 | Zip+4 for the Legislator’s District Office Address |
| District Office Voice Telephone Number | Character | 10 | 190-199 | Voice telephone number for the Legislator’s District Office |
| District Office Facsimile Telephone Number | Character | 10 | 200-209 | Facsimile telephone number for the Legislator’s District Office |
| Capitol Office Address Line 1 | Character | 40 | 210-249 | Address Line 1 for the Legislator’s Capitol Office Address |
| Capitol Office Address Line 2 | Character | 40 | 250-289 | Address Line 2 for the Legislator’s Capitol Office Address |
| Capitol Office Address City | Character | 20 | 290-309 | City for the Legislator’s Capitol Office Address |
| Capitol Office Address State Abbreviation | Character | 2 | 310-311 | State Abbreviation for the Legislator’s Capitol Office Address |
| Capitol Office Address Zip+4 | Character | 9 | 312-320 | Zip+4 the Legislator’s Capitol Office Address |
| Capitol Office Voice Telephone Number | Character | 10 | 321-330 | Voice telephone number for the Legislator’s Capitol Office |
| Capitol Office Facsimile Telephone Number | Character | 10 | 331-340 | Facsimile telephone number for the Legislator’s Capitol Office |
| Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment 1 | Character | 8 | 341-348 | Legislator Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment #1 * |
| Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment 2 | Character | 8 | 349-356 | Legislator Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment #2 * |
| Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment 3 | Character | 8 | 357-364 | Legislator Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment #3 * |
| Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment 4 | Character | 8 | 365-372 | Legislator Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment #4 * |
| Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment 5 | Character | 8 | 373-380 | Legislator Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment #5 * |
| Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment 6 | Character | 8 | 381-388 | Legislator Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment #6 * |
| Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment 7 | Character | 8 | 389-396 | Legislator Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment #7 * |
| Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment 8 | Character | 8 | 397-404 | Legislator Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment #8 * |
| Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment 9 | Character | 8 | 405-412 | Legislator Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment #9 * |
| Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment 10 | Character | 8 | 413-420 | Legislator Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment #10 * |
| Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment 11 | Character | 8 | 421-428 | Legislator Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment #11 * |
| Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment 12 | Character | 8 | 429-436 | Legislator Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment #12 * |
| Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment 13 | Character | 8 | 437-444 | Legislator Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment #13 * |
| Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment 14 | Character | 8 | 445-452 | Legislator Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment #14 * |
| Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment 15 | Character | 8 | 453-460 | Legislator Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment #15 * |
| Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment 16 | Character | 8 | 461-468 | Legislator Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment #16 * |
| Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment 17 | Character | 8 | 469-476 | Legislator Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment #17 * |
| Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment 18 | Character | 8 | 477-484 | Legislator Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment #18 * |
| Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment 19 | Character | 8 | 485-492 | Legislator Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment #19 * |
| Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment 20 | Character | 8 | 493-500 | Legislator Committee / Subcommittee Code Assignment #20 * |
| Email Address | Character | 50 | 501-550 | Legislator’s Email Address |
| World Wide Web Address | Character | 50 | 551-600 | Legislator’s World Wide Web Address |
| End of Record Marker | Character | 1 | 601-601 | Identifies the end of the record “<” constant |
* Committee / Subcommittee Code: The 8 position Committee / Subcommittee Code is a combination of three fields. The fields are; a two-position State Census Code, a one-position Committee Type Code, and a five-position Committee / Subcommittee Identification Code. These three fields are the first three fields in the Committee / Subcommittee file. The Committee / Subcommittee name for a committee / subcommittee code contained in the Legislator Identification file can be obtained by linking the committee / subcommittee codes to the first three fields in the Committee / Subcommittee file.
DMDS Distribution Naming Convention
The Legislator Identification file filename for a nationwide DMDS file will be LEGIDYY.
The Legislative Identification file filename for a single state DMDS will begin with the state name abbreviation. For example the Legislator Identification filename for a Utah DMDS will be UTLEGYY.
The filename extension will be .DBF for a dbase III compatible file or .LDS for fixed length fields, fixed length records.
Committee File
The Committee / Subcommittee File
| Field | Type | Length | Position | Description |
| State Census Code | Character | 2 | 001-002 | Code used by the Census Bureau to identify the U.S. State |
| Committee / Subcommittee Type Code | Character | 1 | 003-003 | Code used to identify the type of committee / subcommittee (i.e. Federal, State, Joint) |
| Committee / Subcommittee Code | Character | 5 | 004-008 | Code used to identify the Committee / Subcommittee |
| Committee / Subcommittee Name | Character | 105 | 009-113 | The text name of the Committee / Subcommittee |
| End of Record Marker | Character | 1 | 114-114 | Identifies the end of record marker“<” constant |
Committee / Subcommittee File DMDS Distribution Naming Convention
The Committee / Subcommittee file filename for a nationwide DMDS file will be CMTTE.
The Committee / Subcommittee file filename for a single state DMDS will begin with the state name abbreviation. For example the Committee / Subcommittee file filename for a Utah DMDS will be UTCMTTE.
The filename extension will be .DBF for a dbase III compatible file or .LDS for fixed length fields, fixed length records.
Please contact us for pricing information.