On Wednesday, nonprofit watchdog group Common Cause in Connecticut held a virtual media conference regarding the state’s redistricting effort and the effects it could have on voters.
The state’s 2021 Reapportionment Committee failed to meet the Sept. 15 deadline to develop an updated map based on last year’s census. It was then replaced by a new commission in hopes of coming to a solution before the new Nov. 30 deadline.
During the conference, panelists emphasized the importance of properly redistricting and the ripples it will have all across the state.
“Redistricting is the single most important voting and elections issue in Connecticut this year,” said Suzanne Almeida, redistricting and representation counsel for Common Cause. “Fair redistricting is how we secure free and fair elections and elected leaders who will be accountable for delivering resources for better schools, a stronger economy, and affordable healthcare, and so much more.”
Cheri Quickmire, executive director of Common Cause in Connecticut, was concerned by the alleged lack of transparency regarding the redistricting process.
“It’s concerning that state leaders have yet to share with the public how they plan to conduct a fair and transparent process,” Quickmire said. “We ask that the newly charged Redistricting Commission start communicating how the public will be able to meaningfully participate.”
“Fair redistricting is how we secure free and fair elections and elected leaders who will be accountable for delivering resources for better schools, a stronger economy, and affordable healthcare, and so much more.”
Suzanne Almeida
Almeida said that while redistricting is often talked about in regards to partisan advantages and “‘Rs’ versus ‘Ds’,” she said that it means so much more to the citizens and underserved communities that could be harmed with gerrymandering.
“Fundamentally, redistricting is about ensuring that the communities, the actual people who live in Connecticut and across the country, are able to get the resources and representation that their communities need to thrive,” Almeida said. “And we know that, historically, particularly Black and brown communities and other communities of color have been left out or were sliced and diced.”
In 2011, the last time Connecticut had to draw new district lines, the state Supreme Court had to step in and make a final decision because of several missed deadlines. However, this year, residents are given the chance to submit their own drafts to the commission to help them in that process.
“We know there are some unique and novel tools out there that, for the first time ever, people in the state of Connecticut have access to,” said state Rep. Gregory Haddad, former co-chair of the Reapportionment Committee. “… If someone wants to take the time to go to one of those resources and draw a map, I think it’s exactly the kind of input that the committee and commission would welcome.”
Almeida said that submitting a map or even speaking up can be a great way to help get your voice heard by the commission.
“We think this is advocacy at its best,” Almeida said. “It’s understanding what you want to say. It is telling your story.”
She also emphasized that people who live in the communities are the best experts of those communities.
“The core of the redistricting process needs to be communities,” Almeida said. “… The people who are the best advocates for and explainers of communities are the people who live in them.”
Connecticut citizens can use sites like Districr, Esri Redistricting and Dave’s Redistricting to make mock maps and can submit them to reapportionment@cga.ct.gov.