We the people – not politicians – should draw voting maps

The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes in putting our best democracy foot forward. We know that we deserve the best possible government and we invest the energy to achieve it. Oregon led the fight for direct election of Senators to Congress, pioneered vote-by-mail and has one of the nation’s most engaged citizenry. Now we are reforming Oregon’s redistricting process. 

The League has joined the People Not Politicians campaign, a diverse coalition made up of all party affiliations, income levels, backgrounds, identities, and all corners of Oregon, to rally for equal, fair and transparent representation at the state and congressional level.

Oregon voters should be choosing their representatives-
representatives should not get to choose their voters.

The League supports redistricting reform that would make our system less susceptible to abuse and unrepresentative distortions. With an independent redistricting commission, we would take the process of redistricting out of the hands of partisan politicians and back into the hands of voters. To defend the principles of good government against potential gerrymandering, our proposal combines a multipartisan independent commission with strong criteria and substantial public input. As we approach the 2020 census and the potential of adding a sixth congressional district to Oregon, we need to make sure district boundaries are fair. Biased political goals can manipulate this process and affect election outcomes at state and national levels.

For more information check the LWV-OR site.

Download the flyer here.

Here is a very thorough explanation of the redistricting process.

Another explanation of the redistricting process from a Loyola Law School professor.

A local group called Southern Oregon Rising Tide (SORT) just finished a months-long project on public lands sections of the Jordan Cove’s Pacific Connector Pipeline route in southern Oregon, scouting the proposed right of way. The LWV wasn’t part of any of their hikes, but local LWV members have hiked parts of the pipeline route in the past, as well as seen–thanks to Christine Moffitt of the Coos County LWV–where the LNG terminal part of the project would go. Doing that gives a special kind of perspective on this project and what it proposes to do.  

SORT just released the results of their project, “What’s at Stake: Mapping Jordan Cove & Pacific Connector,” a StoryMap about the pipeline combining GIS data, pictures and data from their scouting trips, and more to tell the story of what’s at stake on the ground where the pipeline is proposed to run. It’s well worth a look, no matter what you care about. They invite people to share at will: http://arcg.is/01H1yW

Southern Oregon Rising Tide is dedicated to promoting community- based solutions to the climate crisis and taking direct action to confront the root causes of climate change. We are based in the mountains and rivers of rural Southern Oregon, with most of our members living on stolen Takelma land.

about southern oregon rising tide

Our mission: Southern Oregon Rising Tide is a volunteer-run, non-hierarchical group committed to resisting capitalism and building social change through fun and creative disruptions. We use a range of tactics as diverse as all of our skill sets. By building deep relationships with our community, the land, and with other organizations, we create opportunities to take action that are accessible, joyful, and have direct impact on the issues we work on.

Our issues and values: SORT was created in 2015  in response to the proposed Pacific Connector LNG Pipeline through Southern Oregon. In continuing to fight the pipeline in coalition with other groups and organizations, we focus on building a culture of direct action and elevating the voices of rural and indigenous people whose lives and communities are most impacted by environmental destruction and climate change in Southern & Southwest Oregon.

In 2017, our focus expanded, but our principles remain the same. Climate justice transcends borders and is ultimately entwined with indigenous sovereignty and self determination, and with thinking beyond capitalism. We believe in the inherent dignity of all people, and also in the value of all non-human life including plants, animals, watersheds and forests. In action, we strive to build alliances and show up for those who are most impacted by oppression. We seek to resist fascism, capitalism, xenophobia, racism, transphobia, homophobia and patriarchy. We recognize that a community of mutual aid and solidarity is a potent force in opposing a system that thrives on division and hate.

The U.S. Census is required under the U.S. Constitution to occur every 10 years and is the process of counting every resident in the country. For the first time ever, in 2020 the Census will be primarily digitally based.

Why it matters

The U.S. Census data is used to make decisions around education, healthcare, infrastructure, and political representation. With increased growth in the country, getting an accurate and complete count of every person living within is crucial to ensure that each state receives funding to support the number of residents in each state. This Census the focus continues to be on reaching hard to count communities and ensuring these communities get included in the Census count.

What we’re doing

The League’s Census work will occur in three phases: (1) Education; (2) Get Out to Count activities, (3) Watchdog reporting. In the months leading up to Census Day—April 1, 2020—Leagues around the country will be in communities sharing information and resources about how to participate and the importance of the U.S. Census. On Census Day, the League will work in coalition to help get everyone counted, work in Complete Count Committees to share out information about low-reporting areas, and communicate where additional support is needed. Once the Census count wraps up in the Summer/Fall of 2020, the League’s will remain in communities and will watchdog any issues from the ground.

See more information here:

https://www.lwv.org/other-issues/census?utm_source=LeagueUpdate&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=081519

[Source: U.S. Census Bureau]

Why census data matters

Education

Census data is used to influence the distribution of billions of dollars that go to educational agencies that pay for special education, school lunches, improving teacher quality, and Head Start programs.

Health Care

The information collected determines where community health centers are placed to better serve low-income patients and aid current health disparities, such as those impacted by the opioid crisis.

Infrastructure

Companies use the data from the census to determine where to build factories or expand store real estate.

Political Representation

Finally, census data is used to draw the state and federal legislative district lines that ultimately determine the elected officials who represent us.

The drastic effects of a census undercount

The U.S. Census Bureau has been working to prepare for Census 2020 for the last decade, testing the forms, engaging communities, and planning for a new digital count.

We are committed to a fair and accurate 2020 Census because if our communities are not fully counted, opportunities for investment, health, public safety, and representation will be lost.

It’s up to all organizations and individuals to get involved and make our voices heard.

Here is a report about the role of the census in the distribution of federal funds in Oregon. In FY 2016, Oregon received over $13 billion through 55 federal spending programs guided by the 2010 census data. Census data is critical!