Tell our legislators we need a Task Force to Study Redistricting in Connecticut.
Action summary (see below for complete instructions): Urge the GAE Committee Co-Chairs (and your representatives) to raise the bill to create a Task Force to Study Redistricting in Connecticut before the February 25 deadline.
We want fairness in how Connecticut's political maps are drawn, so that voters are able to choose their representatives, not the other way around. That’s why the League of Women Voters of Connecticut focused on the need for transparency, public involvement, and nonpartisanship in the redistricting process in 2021, with the bigger nationwide League initiative for People Powered Fair Maps.
Here's the problem: despite our advocacy, redistricting was once again completed behind closed doors by a bi-partisan Commission. Even some of our legislators were largely unaware of the conversations happening. The resulting maps are now in place for the next 10 years, whether or not they are fair to Connecticut voters.
What can be done? LWVCT has proposed a bill to create a Task Force to Study Redistricting in Connecticut. We can’t go back and do 2021 redistricting over again, but we can call on our legislators to address the failures of the process so that we are ready to do it the right way next time around.
This Task Force should study methods to promote citizen engagement and transparency in Redistricting, such as:
- An Independent Redistricting Commission
- A Citizen’s Advisory Commission modeled on the New Mexico approach and supported by state appropriations
- Transparency and accountability standards
For more information on the proposed bill read this letter with proposed language submitted to the Committee by Joan Twiggs, LWVCT’s People Powered Fair Maps Champion.
Action:
Email #1 (for members of the League of Women Voters):
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Dear Senator Flexer and Representative Fox: I am writing to urge you to raise a bill to establish a Task Force to Study Redistricting in Connecticut. As a member of the League of Women Voters who has watched the 2021 Redistricting process unfold, I see that we need greater citizen participation and increased transparency in the entire Redistricting process. This past year, redistricting was once again completed behind closed doors by a bi-partisan Commission. The resulting maps are now in place for the next 10 years, whether or not they are fair to Connecticut voters. We need transparency, public involvement, and nonpartisanship in the redistricting process, so that Connecticut voters are able to choose their representatives, not the other way around. This Task Force should study methods to promote citizen engagement and transparency in Redistricting, such as:
We cannot redo the 2021 Maps, but we can start now in creating a process that is fair to the voters, and I am calling on you to take this first step. Thank you, [Your Full Name] [Your City] |
Email #2 (for members and friends of the League of Women Voters):
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Dear Senator Flexer and Representative Fox: I am writing to urge you to raise a bill to establish a Task Force to Study Redistricting in Connecticut. We need transparency, public involvement, and nonpartisanship in the redistricting process, so that Connecticut voters are able to choose their representatives, not the other way around. Despite citizen advocacy this year, redistricting was once again completed behind closed doors by a bi-partisan Commission. Even some of our legislators were unaware of the conversations happening. The resulting maps are now in place for the next 10 years, whether or not they are fair to Connecticut voters. This Task Force should study methods to promote citizen engagement and transparency in Redistricting, such as an Independent Redistricting Commission, a Citizen’s Advisory Commission, and Transparency and accountability standards. We cannot redo the 2021 Maps, but we can start now in creating a process that is fair to the voters, and I call on you to take this first step. Thank you for your consideration. [Your Full Name] [Your City] |
