2021-08 What do fair maps look like - Peggy
At the redistricting hearings, hundreds in attendance were real clear to legislators present that they, the citizens of Georgia, want fair maps and an end to partisan gerrymandering done by both parties.
What do fair maps look like? Fair maps would have competitive districts that foster citizens choosing their representatives, not the other way around. Most congressional and state races are not competitive because parties draw districts that ensures they will be safely Republican or Democrat. That’s why two-thirds of Georgia’s cities are split.
It is not good for democracy when districts are drawn so that only one party has any hope of winning an election. It is not good for communities to be so divided that their ability to advocate on their own behalf is hampered, that their strength as a whole in addressing common problems is diminished.
The only way we can know if lines drawn by legislators don’t remove our voice is for us to see, question and suggest changes prior to finalization. If we can’t comment on the maps once drawn, and there’s no clear way for complaints to be responded to and remedied, our lawmakers will just be repeating what they did in 2011 when they met in secret and split up cities and counties.
Don’t let this happen again, contact Committee Chairs Representative Darlene Taylor, darlene.taylor@house.ga.gov, (404) 656-7857 and Senator Bill Cowsert, bill.cowsert@senate.ga.gov, (404) 656-1366. Tell them you want to see their work.
250 words
Another edit by Susan K
At the recent redistricting hearings, hundreds of citizens across George were extremely clear in expressing that they want fair district maps and an end to partisan gerrymandering by both parties.
What do fair maps look like? Fair maps would have competitive districts that allow citizens to choose their representatives, rather than the other way around. Fair maps would allow citizens of a city to elect a legislator who represents most, if not all of them. Currently, two-thirds of Georgia’s cities are split, some of them into multiple districts.
It is not good for democracy when districts are drawn so that only one party has any hope of winning an election. It is not good for communities to be divided and unable to effectively advocate for their collective interests.
In order to be sure that district lines drawn by legislators don’t disempower us, we need access to the proposed maps, and the opportunity to question them and suggest changes prior to finalization. Otherwise, our lawmakers will repeat what they did in 2011 when they met in secret and split up cities and counties.
We cannot let this happen again. Please contact Committee Chairs Representative Darlene Taylor, darlene.taylor@house.ga.gov, (404) 656-7857 and Senator Bill Cowsert, bill.cowsert@senate.ga.gov, (404) 656-1366. Tell them you want to see their work.