Background
Every 10 years, after the collection of the decennial census data, states redraw their state and congressional district lines. These districts determine how communities are represented at the local, state, and federal levels. The redistricting process is fundamental in influencing how our government works for us.
The League of Women Voters of the United States has long been concerned about state redistricting efforts for their state congressional seats (both House and Senate) and U.S. Congressional seats.
Political and racial gerrymandering by state political parties have taken the one person-one vote concept and have distorted it to disenfranchise many voters. Since most states regulate their own redistricting plans, the political party in power uses this power to re-district according to their specific political whims.
The League of Women Voters Stance
Congressional districts and government legislative bodies should be apportioned substantially on population. The League opposes partisan and racial gerrymandering that strips rights away from voters.
The League of Women Voters of the United States has initiated a two-year program to strengthen the redistricting process to protect more voters. The League of Women Voters of Tennessee has received a substantial grant to implement the strategy and statement of work that we have proposed. We will strive for more transparency and more public input into this process that does not currently exist.
Attend Governmental Redistricting Meetings
Anderson County: The Anderson County Redistricting Committee will meet every Thursday evening from 6-7 pm for six weeks, beginning on September 16, to formulate a proposed map of voting districts for the county. Meetings will be held in Room 312 on the third floor of the Courthouse in Clinton and are open to the public.
Redistricting Community College
To learn more about this CHARGE program on 5/22/21 and learn how to register, click here.
Local Programs
Here are several recordings of our virtual Lunch with the League programs pertaining to redistricting:
- The People Powered Fair Maps™ Redistricting Program, presented by Debby Gould, 1st Vice-President of LWV of Tennessee, on 4/20/21.
- Redistricting Transparency and Engagement, presented by journalist Jesse Fox Mayshark, on 1/18/22.
LWV of Tennessee Articles
The following articles describe the People Powered Fair Maps™ initiative in more detail:
- People Powered Fair Maps: The League View
- Problematic Redistricting in Tennessee
- What Every Voter Should Know About Redistricting
- An Accurate Census - This is Where Fair Redistricting Begins
- Update to Members 03/17/21
- More Challenges in Confronting Gerrymandering in Tennessee
Related Articles
- Drawing the Lines, 05/11/21, Knoxville Compass
Resources
- Tennessee General Assembly House Redistricting Web Site
- Map of Current Tennesee General Assembly House Districts
- Map of Current Tennessee General Assembly Senate Districts
- Tennessee's Congressional Districts (Wikipedia)
- Brennan Center for Justice
- The Pew Research Center
- National Public Radio
Coalition Partners
The following Coalition Partners join the League of Women Voters of Tennessee for the People Powered Fair Maps™ initiative.
Coalition Members
The following Coalition Members join the League of Women Voters of Tennessee for the People Powered Fair Maps™ initiative.
