Redistricting began in every state in 2021. Common Cause prepared by organizing citizens for action.
- Coalitions established model redistricting commissions that will draw alternative maps through a people-powered process.
- With the Census Bureau requiring more time to effectively process population data, reformers supported litigation to prevent this updated schedule from shortening timelines for essential public participation in redistricting.
- Reform organizations trained citizens to lead community mapping sessions that would allow residents to effectively tell the stories of their communities.
- While states launched independent citizen redistricting commissions that the public fought to create, advocates ensured that these entities represent the diversity of the jurisdictions in which they are located.
- Advocates trained local governments on best practices for drawing fair maps.
- Citizens seeking to change how districts are drawn are went to court to ensure that the pandemic didn’t interfere with ballot initiative efforts.
The fight for fair and representative districts remains ongoing. Read up about California Common Cause’s current effort to establish an independent redistricting commission in the City of Los Angeles.