LETTER TO THE EDITOR…
Educating Voters About Redistricting
Dear Editor: The Census is (almost) done, and the redistricting season, which occurs every ten years, has begun.
Drawing maps in Georgia is done by whichever party is in charge of the State Legislature. The work is done under a veil of secrecy sanctioned by law. Lacking an open, fair, and public process, everyone – no matter what party – has used this opportunity to protect their incumbents, to the detriment of Georgia voters.
The upcoming redistricting will affect our state for the next decade, and voters need to have a say in developing these districts that will be in place until 2030.
At a minimum, the House and Senate apportionment committees should Do all the work in public, share all
data used, and release proposed maps well
in advance of their adoption for public comment.
Draw maps based on community
input as provided at open public hearings across the state.
Commit to evaluation using inde pendent, nonpartisan standards to prevent bias.
The nonpartisan Fair Districts GA has resources on their website, fairdistrictsga. org, to educate citizens about redistricting, and opportunities to get involved to encourage legislators to ensure that the process is fair and transparent. FDGA is providing independent map evaluation on behalf of the public, through their partnership with the Princeton Gerrymandering Project. District 19 Sen. Blake Tillery serves on the State Senate’s redistricting committees. I urge citizens to contact Sen. Tillery to ask for a fair and open process. Cuffy Sullivan, Savannah, GA
