Redistricting Community College in Spanish: Join us on September 15 at 7:00 pm ET for the new condensed version of the Redistricting Community College presented entirely in Spanish. Register here. Translated: Este 15 de Septiembre a las 7:00 PM hora del este, CHARGE va a tener un seminario web es una versión condensada de Redistricting Community College, pero se presenta completamente en español. En este seminario, cubriremos una introducción a la redistribución de distritos, el mapeo comunitario y el activismo comunitario. Registrar aquí.
The Colorado Independent Redistricting Commissions will release new draft maps based on 2020 Census data plus months of public testimony and comments. The Commissions will also hold special public hearings on these new maps. We must be prepared to advocate for our communities no matter what the new maps look like. The Legislative Commission released new state House and Senate maps yesterday. Colorado Common Cause will host special redistricting prep sessions. During these sessions we will examine the Commissions' new maps, examine what they mean for your community, and prepare you to testify or submit written comment. Join a training:
Texans deserve a fair, transparent, and community-centered representation, so join a TX4All Redistricting 101 training on September 15 at 6:30 pm CT presented by Miguel Rivera, Voting Rights Outreach Coordinator with the Texas Civil Rights Project. We’ll hear from an amazing guest speaker and learn more about the redistricting process underway now, how to prepare for upcoming virtual hearings, and effective ways to draft public testimony. It’s time to engage in the 2021 map redistricting process. It's time to reclaim our community power! Learn more here.
The Rhode Island General Assembly is getting ready to draw our voting maps and now is the time to make our voices heard. Join Common Cause Rhode Island for a redistricting community activist training on September 19 at 7:00 pm ET. Register 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
California Common Cause, other redistricting reform proponents, and civil rights and grassroots organizations from across California filed an amicus letter in the California Supreme Court in support of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission's emergency motion asking the Court to extend its deadline to January 14, 2022. The goal is to prevent their deadline from falling during the December holidays. Read the amicus letter here and the press release here.
Common Cause has a new webpage dedicated to ending prison gerrymandering. There, you will find webinars, testimonials, and other helpful resources to end prison gerrymandering in your state. Check out this new resource.
State Voices has created a toolkit detailing how organizers can use their states’ open meetings and records laws to further their redistricting advocacy. This can be especially useful in states that don't have specific redistricting transparency laws. Check out the toolkit here. (Note that the toolkit currently only includes details about the laws of states within the State Voices network - please email Lata Nott at lnott@statevoices.org if you would like information about your state’s laws to be added.)
The Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission released draft maps for illustrative and instructional purposes during its September 9 meeting. See the maps here.
