This Fall, It’s Redistricting Season. Here’s What You Need To Know

Political⚡Charge Activating America's Voters

By TokyoSand on Sep 01, 2021 07:30 am

Forget football season. This fall, it’s redistricting season. Here’s just a few of the headlines from this past few days:

Redistricting committee starts work on drawing new political boundaries (Nebraska)

Ohio Redistricting Commission to meet Tuesday ahead of deadline for map unveiling

South Dakota lawmakers start speedy redistricting process

Sexton names House redistricting committee (Tennessee)

You get the idea. Every state is rushing to get the once-a-decade process of redrawing both congressional and legislative maps done as I type this. But blink and you’ll miss it — you’ve got to be really on top of your game to get your voice heard as a citizen during this process.

Whether you want to sit in on a public hearing or want to lend your voice to the process, I’ve got a couple of resources for you.

First, finding out what hearings or events citizens can be involved in isn’t always the easiest thing to find. Sometimes Googling “redistricting hearing” and the name of your state or capital will turn up something, but it may not. One of your best bets is your local chapter of the League of Women Voters. You can find your local chapter’s website and contact info HERE.

Next, Brennan Center for Justice (one of my favorite sources for all things related to voting rights) has a terrific article for all of us: 6 Tips for Making Effective Comments at a Redistricting Hearing Quick to read, yet full of great advice. I encourage you to share it with any political organizing groups you might be a part of.

To finish up, I hope you’ll consider getting more involved, or at least become more aware of, the process your state is undergoing to redraw their maps. After all, who your district sends to Congress or to your state capitol starts with this process.