FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Memo re: Census Bureau Redistricting Data
Census Data:
Last week, the Census Bureau released redistricting data -- after months of delay due to the pandemic. But since many states have constitutional deadlines and upcoming elections, the redistricting timeline is much more condensed than we originally anticipated.
We expect states like Texas to draft maps in a matter of weeks. And many of our target states will likely have preliminary maps drawn by December.
This is when the rubber hits the road -- can we count on your support?
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Key Target States:
In four of the most notoriously gerrymandered states -- Texas, Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina -- conservatives currently have control of the redistricting processes. Our analysis of the maps shows that if map manipulators gerrymander effectively in these four states alone, they can pick up as many as 16 seats in the House of Representatives -- that's double the number of seats they'd need to pick up to flip the house.
Last time around, map manipulators in places like North Carolina gerrymandered the maps with "surgical precision," according to the judges that determined those maps were unconstitutional.
We cannot afford to let that happen again.
Role of DOJ & SCOTUS:
This will be the first redistricting cycle in decades without the Voting Rights Act preclearance -- thanks to Chief Justice Roberts and other conservatives on the Supreme Court -- severely limiting the federal government's ability to intervene to stop inappropriate map manipulation. The Supreme Court also passed on the opportunity to put guardrails on partisan gerrymandering.
Next Steps:
So where does that leave us? Well, as President Obama said, map manipulators are counting on our apathy -- "they don't want you to know how the map drawing process works or how to make your voice heard when a commission or legislative committee asks for public input."
So we need to get loud. We need to show up to public hearings, submit written testimony to commissions and committees, and call out map manipulators when there's no fairness or transparency in the redistricting process.
All On The Line has staff on the ground across the country and supporters in every state. We're helping people everywhere become advocates for their communities because we believe every voter's voice matters.
Opposition Research:
Map manipulators are taking a different approach. They've made it clear -- through hundreds of proposed bills in state legislatures and obstruction in Congress -- that they do not care about voting rights and they will gerrymander maps in pursuit of their narrow, unpopular agenda.
We need your help. We're up against partisan politicians who will sell out their constituents to secure power -- and they are willing to cater to corporate interests while they make it happen.
Grassroots Support:
All On The Line relies on small-dollar grassroots donations. Our average donation for our mid-month fundraising drive was $37.05 -- will you match that?
We appreciate your support.
Thank you for fighting for fair maps with us,
Biz
John Bisognano
Executive Director, All On The Line
All On The Line is the grassroots advocacy campaign supported by the National Redistricting Action Fund. Support our work to end gerrymandering.
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