Sunday, January 22, 2012
Redistricting
This week I found out that next year at least 110,000 residents will be moved to a different district. The city is starting a redistricting process this month based on new census data, which shows Phoenix added 121,900 residents since 2000. Districts have to be roughly the same size ( 180,00 people) to make sure each resident's vote carries the same weight. District 4 in Central Phoenix is going to be gaining the most residents and District 7 in South Phoenix and Laveen is losing the most. I think the most interesting part is that the U.S. Department of Justice has to approve the redistricting proposal to make sure it maintains the current strength of minority voting blocks. Public hearings start 1/31 and the D.O.J. should review it in the summer, so the new districts will start 1/2013. If you are interested here are dates and the meeting places, http://phoenix.gov/citygovernment/redistricting/pubmeetings/index.html
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Hi Tim, I'm actually learning a little bit more and more about the redistricting process and working on how to actively get our constituents involved in the. I know there will be a series of public meetings held but the question I have is how do we help people understand what this means and how it affects them to begin with so that they can go to these meetings with a better understanding. Know what I mean? Thanks for posting this information- it's very helpful!
ReplyDeleteThe redistricting process is really interesting. People always complain about all of the government "red tape" that's created to make a change such as the one you are discussing here but sometimes the red tape is important. While a more efficient process would be nice, it is good to see that the DOJ is doing its job to make sure minorities continue to be represented in the city.
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