CHARGE NEWSLETTER
Coalition Hub for Advancing Redistricting & Grassroots Engagement: Providing grassroots organizers the tools and information they need to engage in the redistricting process and fight for fair representation for marginalized communities.
Trainings and Events
Howdy y hola! Sign up for a 30-minute call this week with Mi Familia Vota-Houston Coordinator, MARLA LOPEZ, to draw your community in Harris County, Texas! In 2021, ALL maps including county commissioner precincts will be redrawn - local government is the first line of implementing and supporting good policy that helps our communities. The process of redrawing our maps must center on the issues and community voices that are experiencing them firsthand. Join us to make sure your community is on the map and being represented fairly for the next 10 years in Harris County! Sign up here.NOTE: The Unity Maps Campaign is solely focused on local Harris County. For information about testifying at the Texas legislature regarding state and congressional maps, please reach out at MARLAL@MIFAMILIAVOTA.ORG.
League of Women Voters Upcoming Redistricting Events: Right now, maps are being drawn that will determine our political representation for the next decade. NOW is the time to ensure our communities are fairly represented for the next 10 years! Join us in empowering our communities to get involved:
- #OurMapsOurVoices Twitter Town Hall on September 29th; and
- A virtual panel on September 30th. RSVP here.
Looking for a more creative way to spread awareness about fair maps? Submit a piece of visual art today! Common Cause is uplifting youth voices in democracy through “My Voice, My Art, Our Cause” an artivism contest centering young creatives. Artivism bridges the creative power of art with the strategic design of activism to bring forth social transformation. The contest is open to young artivists ages 14-28 and submissions will be accepted through September 30, 2021. Contest winners will receive up to $1,500 in cash prizes and customized swag items featuring their artwork. Visit www.commoncause.org/artivism for the contest rules and submission form!
Resources and Announcements
The CUNY Graduate Center has launched a New York-specific version of its “Redistricting & You” online map, making it easy to compare proposed districts with existing lines. Read the blog post summarizing this tool here and check out the tool itself here. The map displays the district plans from the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission compared with current congressional, state senate, and assembly districts. You can click/tap the map to display details for each district, search by street address or other location to zoom to a district, and switch between one proposal or the other. Eventually the map will include other proposals from stakeholders, as well as any updated proposals from the Commission and from the State Legislature if the Senate and/or Assembly draw their own lines. The map features a slider tool so you can transition seamlessly between the proposed maps and current ones, providing a powerful interactive visual showing how the lines would change under the new plans. For each the map shows:
- total population;
- voting age population;
- population by race/Hispanic origin;
- redistricting metrics such as compactness and split jurisdictions;
- voting patterns based on data from the New York Times for the 2020 presidential election, and more.
The Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission (ICRC) announced the winners of its redistricting mapping competition last week. One of the finalists in the House of Representatives category was offered as a second reading amendment on the House floor. Although the amendment did not pass, it is clear that the ICRC and the parallel process it has created are now the standard for fair redistricting in Indiana. See Common Cause Indiana’s press release about the winners.
News
- National: Dozens of lawsuits filed ahead of redistricting presage years of litigation. The Hill. September 24, 2021.
- Colorado: Colorado congressional map work to continue through weekend
- Florida: Florida lawmakers promise to follow rules this time in redistricting
. Tampa Bay Times. September 24, 2021. - Indiana: Teacher turned map maker says redistricting process should belong to citizens. The Statehouse File. September 23, 2021.
- Maine: Plan keeps Waterville in 1st District, moves Augusta to 2nd. Associated Press. September 25, 2021.
- Minnesota: Minnesota's divided government has tight timeline for redistricting. Star Tribune. September 25, 2021.
- Nebraska: Legislature gives initial approval to redistricting bill setting Congressional boundaries. Fox 42. September 24, 2021.
- Ohio: GOP’s Ohio legislative maps hit with 2nd lawsuit in 2 days. Associated Press. September 24, 2021.
- Oklahoma: Oklahoma governor calls special session for redistricting. Associated Press. September 24, 2021.
- Oregon: Oregon lawmakers pass plans for new political maps, after Republicans end boycott. OPB. September 27, 2021.
- Rhode Island: Redistricting commission schedules first round of meetings. Associated Press. September 25, 2021.
- Virginia: Virginia Supreme Court upholds prisoner redistricting law. The Center Square. September 24, 2021.
- Wisconsin: Wisconsin Republicans take redistricting case to high court. Associated Press. September 24, 2021.
Call for submissions
- Have any information, resources, trainings, or opportunities you want to share in this newsletter? Just fill out this form! Note that content must be submitted by noon ET on Monday in order to be sent out in the Monday newsletter, and that publication of your content in this newsletter is subject to the moderator’s approval.
