On February 4th, the Millennial Action Project (MAP) held a webinar, “Drawing the Lines: “Virtual Convening on Redistricting.”
In kicking off the event, Senior Manager of the State Caucus Network Alex Tapia described the work of MAP and the purpose of the webinar: “Our Future Caucuses focus on a range of issues, but strengthening democracy has always been the foundation of our work.”
Panel experts included Legal Counsel on Redistricting, Christopher Lamar, and Co-Director of Voting Rights and Redistricting, Ruth Greenberg.
This conversation on redistricting is especially important as states begin their redistricting processes this year, following the 2020 Census. The panel began with a discussion of the U.S. Census, which is conducted every 10 years for multiple purposes including reapportionment and redistricting. Experts noted that the 2020 Census concluded data collection on October 30th, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant delay in processing its data. The data needed for the reapportionment of the House of Representatives is not expected until September 2021 and the Public Law 94-171 data, which is needed for redistricting, is not expected until July or August 2021.
The panelists explained that the redistricting process looks different in each state due to differing state laws. Some states employ political, bipartisan, advisory, or independent redistricting commissions to draw their state and federal districts. Most states, however, delegate the power of redistricting to their legislatures. As a result, this allows state legislatures to engage in the problematic practice of partisan gerrymandering by drawing district lines to the partisan advantage of one political party.
Greenwood noted that when state legislatures begin the redistricting process, they must satisfy three federal requirements: population equality, compliance with the Voting Rights Act, and ensuring that no district is racially gerrymandered. In addition, she detailed how many states have requirements for redistricting written into their constitutions, such as the contiguity and compactness of districts and respect for political subdivisions. She explained that some states have other requirements such as partisan fairness, the competitiveness of districts, and the preservation of communities of interest.
To learn more, check out the full webinar recording below.
Additionally, check out this resource by the Campaign Legal Center explaining the redistricting process and how to have a fair, open, and accessible redistricting process.