This document discusses redistricting and the census. It provides an overview of key dates and entities involved in the redistricting process after each census. It also outlines strategies for influencing both the census and redistricting process, such as educating communities, presenting alternative maps, and establishing independent redistricting commissions through ballot initiatives or legislative action.

1. Redistricting and the Census Justin Levitt July 16, 2009

2. The Brennan Center and redistricting Based at NYU, but work nationwide Think tank, advocacy group, law firm Study of redistricting practices and reform initiatives Analysis of proposals Testimony before decisionmakers Consulting for advocates Advocacy and publication

3. The Midwest Democracy Network Alliance of political reform advocates 5 Midwest states Public education Civic organization training Policy formulation Public advocacy and pressure for reform

4. Today’s conversation What? Why? When? Who? Where? How?

5. Today’s conversation What? Why? When? Who? Where? How?

6. What is “redistricting”? Every 10 years (at least), after the census Congress, state legislature, many local legislatures Sorts voters into groups, distributes political power, affects policy priorities

7. Downtown Minneapolis

8. Is this a good district?

9. Is this a good district? You can’t know if a district is “good,” unless you know what it’s trying to achieve

10. Today’s conversation What? Why? When? Who? Where? How?

11. Why does redistricting matter? Politicians choosing their voters Eliminating incumbents or challengers Diluting minority votes Splitting up communities Hakeem Jeffries’ house •

12. Today’s conversation What? Why? When? Who? Where? How?

13. Key redistricting dates April 1, 2010 ― December 31, 2010 ― January 10, 2011 ― April 1, 2011 ― End of session 2011 ― Census Day Census count to President Apportionment to U.S. House Redistricting data to states Most redistricting complete

14. Today’s conversation What? Why? When? Who? Where? How?

15. Who draws the lines In most states, the legislature has primary control State legislative districts: 37 states Congressional districts: 38 states (and 7 states with 1 Congressional district)

16. Other redistricting institutions State legislative districts Congressional districts Advisory Backup Primary control in the legislature Primary control outside legislature

17. Today’s conversation What? Why? When? Who? Where? How?

18. Start with federal protections Equal population – one person, one vote Congress: as equal as possible State legislature: ~10% spread if good reason

19. section 2: draw majority-minority districts to avoid dilution section 5: preclear to ensure that minority voters aren’t made worse off otherwise: can consider race, but race can’t “predominate” unless really good reason Cracking Packing Federal protections Race – Voting Rights Act and the Constitution

20. The Voting Rights Act and beyond

21. After federal law, add state limitations Contiguity Political boundaries Compactness Communities of interest Partisanship/competition Nesting State leg. Congress 45 14 38 13 34 13 19 8 9 6 14 (+3) n/a

22. Today’s conversation What? Why? When? Who? Where? How?

23. Influencing the process Tangible next steps Census Redistricting

24. Influencing the census Educate your community Recruit census takers Become a census partner Staff a help center Fight the “boycott” Focus on “hard to count” areas

25. 2000 population in hard-to-count areas Source: Election Data Services

26. 2000 Denver hard-to-count areas Source: Community Research Institute, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership, Grand Valley State U.

27. Influencing redistricting (short-term) Educate your community Educate the media and drive the story Identify and map community boundaries Attend hearings Present alternative maps

28. Mapping community boundaries

29. Communities of interest Social interests Cultural interests Racial / ethnic interests Economic / trade interests Geographic interests Communication and transportation networks Media markets Urban and rural interests Occupations and lifestyles

30. Influencing redistricting (long-term) Alternative voting systems - Cumulative voting - Choice voting Alternative redistricting entities - Independent commissions - Accountability seats

31. Independent commissions This is not about taking politics out of redistricting It’s about limiting the role of self-dealing politicians Why should one of the game’s players also be the referee?

32. Independent commissions Who chooses the commissioners? How to ensure real diversity? Which criteria are most important? How to reconcile competing criteria? How to get the right discretion? Meaningful independence Meaningful diversity Meaningful guidance Meaningful transparency Still need careful design

33. Preparing for long-term change Ballot initiatives Legislative action - Substantial public support - Substantial funding - Bipartisan sponsorship - Support of minority communities Source: Initiative & Referendum Institute, University of Southern California - Substantial public support - Bipartisan sponsorship - Support of minority communities

34. Building public support Educate the media Train community leadership Secure validation from trusted elders Model best practices (model commission)

35. Further information Justin Levitt Brennan Center for Justice www.brennancenter.org Midwest Democracy Network www.midwestdemocracynetwork.org Booth 204 at the Expo, here at the Summit