Census and Redistricting - VERY Important
I just attended an all-day workshop on these topics - reminded me how crucial it is that all of our communities be counted - and that our organizations MUST weigh in on redistricting process in our states.
Cathy Howell
Justin Levitt from Brennan Center for Justice taught the workshop - he's a great resource and is the author of A Citizen's Guide To Redistricting - available from Brennan Center.
We learned a lot about the ins and outs of considerations for how new districts are drawn - great info. Justin pointed out that the census is mandated in our Constitution and is the largest peacetime mobilization of resources that our government does.
I thought the most important information to impart on this blog is:
CENSUS - Educate your community about it! Filling it out is easy, confidential and determines how much political power, public money and public resources our communities will receive between 2012 and 2022. Our groups should recruit census takers (we know where people live and how to talk with them so they won't be intimidated). This could be a great job for our underemployed or unemployed friends, comrades or family members!
Our organizations should become census partners or help staff help centers.
NOTE: Immigration status/citizenship status will not be asked by census forms/takers.
REDISTRICTING- Educate your community - why it matters how lines are drawn for who can represent us - and how resources then flow to our communities. Attend hearings in 2012, present alternative maps that reflect what our groups want, educate the media and drive the story from our point of view, identify and map our "communities of interest" and make the case for why they shouldn't be split - so we can have maximum impact.
Great session with a lot of very thoughtful and insightful Northwest organizers. Justin said that we are smart - and I think that's true - the folks in the room collectively have a lot of experience that they brought to bear on this discussion.
