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Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (ICRC) D E L L J E W I S H C O M M U N I T Y C A M P U S W E D N E S DAY, O C TO B E R 2 0 6 - 8 P M Please Mask Up! The City of Austin is in Stage 3 COVID-19 Guidelines Agenda 1. How to Stay Informed 2. The Redistricting Process 1. Why Does Independent Redistricting Matter? 2. 3. The Process The Criteria 3. The Final Map & Data Used 4. Public Testimony 5. Reminders Our Ask of the Public: • Submit your feedback and spread the word about ICRC future events • Please share details about your community for our consideration INDEPENDENT CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION 3 How to Stay Informed City of Austin ICRC Website Holds public records, all documentation, agendas, recordings. http://www.austintexas.gov/content/independent-citizens- redistricting-commission (or search “ICRC Austin”) SpeakUp Austin! Website: Holds information about our general meetings, public forums, and an online form to submit feedback https://www.speakupaustin.org/city-of-austin-redistricting • • • • Find us on Facebook and Twitter @austinredistric Find us on Instagram @austinredistrict INDEPENDENT CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION 4 ICRC Commissioners District 1 – Errol Hardin District 1 – Selina Yee District 2 – Sara Inés Calderón District 3 – Brigham Morris District 3 – Hoang Le District 4 – Dr. Sterling Lands District 5 – Prabhu Kannan District 6 – Eugene Schneider District 7 – Christina Puentes (Chair) District 7 – Camellia Falcon District 8 – Joshua Blank District 9 – Shaina Kambo District 10 – Luis Gonzalez (Vice-Chair) District 10 – Erin Dempsey The Redistricting Process Why Does An Independent Redistricting Process Matter? Equal Representation At the core of redistricting is equal and fair representation, including for historically underrepresented Independent Input communities, on the city council. Each An independent redistricting process district should have as close to the allows residents to have a voice in how same number of residents as possible. their community is shaped without the influence of political officials. Our Changing City An independent redistricting process can focus on drawing district boundaries based on population growth and movement rather than being concerned with the outcome of elections. INDEPENDENT CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION 7 The Map Journey First Round of Public Forums The ICRC held 12 public forums using the 2013 city council district map, which was created by the first ICRC and serves as a foundation for redistricting in 2021. Held from 7/15 – 8/26 First Draft of Preliminary Map The first map prioritized the creation of districts with reasonably equal population. Presented at 9/8 meeting Preliminary Map Approved The second map incorporated considerations of the Voting Rights Act and the integrity of neighborhoods based on public input from 12 forums. Presented at 9/15 meeting Second Round of Public Forums The ICRC took public comment 21 days. Feedback on the preliminary map was reviewed and considered for incorporation. Held from 9/18 – 10/02 INDEPENDENT CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION 8 The Map Journey (cont’d) Adopt Final Map The ICRC incorporated testimony from second round of public forums into the final draft. Presented at 10/06 meeting Third Round of Public Forums The final map will be presented to the public for additional feedback for at least five days. Oct 16, Oct 18 & Oct 20 Certify Final Map The ICRC will adopt a final map by the deadline set in the City Charter. November 1, 2021 Publish Final Report A final report will be released following the adoption of the final map. INDEPENDENT CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION 9 How Does the ICRC Draw Maps? Sect. City Charter, Article II; Section 3E What does it mean? 1 2 3 4 5 Each district shall have reasonably equal population with other districts, except where deviation is required to comply with the federal Voting Rights Act or is allowable by law. Balancing the current population (as measured through the 2020 Census), as close to 0% deviation as possible, in each district. Districts shall comply with the federal Voting Rights Act (VRA) and any other requirement of federal or state law. The applicable section of the VRA for redistricting states that if a minority opportunity district can be drawn, it must be drawn. Districts shall be geographically contiguous. All areas of a particular district should be connected. The geographic integrity of local neighborhoods or local communities of interest shall be respected in a manner that minimizes their division to the extent possible without violating the requirements of any of the preceding subsections. District boundaries shall be drawn to encourage geographical compactness such that nearby areas of population are not bypassed for more distant populations as is practical. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE The focus of ICRC public input, engagement, and events. Districts should not be sprawling. Unannexed areas may impact this criterion. INDEPENDENT CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION 10 How Does the ICRC Draw Maps? (cont’d) Sect. How it is Stated in City Charter What does it mean? 6 7 District boundaries shall be drawn using the boundaries of existing election precincts, as is practical. In Austin, our voting tabulation districts (VTD) are drawn by Travis County. VTDs should remain intact to support ease of voting but can be split when deemed necessary. District boundaries shall be drawn using geographically identifiable boundaries, as is practical. Austin has many natural, historical, and manmade boundaries. These were considered in the redrawing process. INDEPENDENT CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION 11 The Final Map & Data Used Population Changes per District Current City Population: 961,855 Ideal Population per District: 96,185 District Population (2013) Population (2020) Population per Proposed New District (2021) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 76,111 (-3.85%) 79,587 (-0.25%) 79,536 (-0.31%) 79,360 (-0.53%) 80,675 (+1.15%) 82,747 (+3.72%) 80,924 (+1.43%) 77,399 (-2.99%) 79,735 (-0.06%) 81,152 (+1.72%) 97,387 (+1.25%) 98,165 (+2.06%) 86,733 (-9.83%) 80,710 (-16.09%) 102,617 (+6.69%) 108,460 (+12.76%) 102,929 (+7.01%) 96,001 (-0.19%) 91,801 (-4.56%) 97,052 (+0.90%) 94,010 (-2.26%) 98,165 (+2.06%) 91,533 (-4.84%) 94,936 (-1.30%) 97,457 (+1.32%) 95,409 (-0.81%) 95,077 (-1.15%) 99,175 (+3.11%) 98,949 (+2.87%) 97,196 (+1.05%) INDEPENDENT CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION 13 Other Considerations Compliance with the federal Voting Rights Act Public Input from 17 Forums & Email Communication Expert Testimony 2013 ICRC Final Report 2013 2021 INDEPENDENT CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION 15 Public Testimony Public Testimony • All individuals wishing to make comments must have signed in prior to the meeting. • Each speaker is limited to 3 minutes, unless additional time is granted by the Chair. • The Commission is interested in gathering constructive feedback on citizens’ views of the final map, suggested adjustments, and the overall redistricting plan. • Speakers can ask questions during testimony to seek information and clarity, rather than to seek debate. The chair can answer, a commissioner can ask the chair to address the speaker, or the chair can direct staff to answer the question. The speaker’s time will be stopped when the commission is answering a question. • Commissioners will be able to ask questions that are within the scope of the public testimony of a specific speaker. • Everyone is asked to abide by these guidelines so that the public forum process can proceed smoothly and all who wish to speak have the opportunity to do so. INDEPENDENT CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION 17 Upcoming Meetings Map Certification ICRC General Meeting Wednesday, October 27: 6-8pm Permitting and Development Center (PDC) Contact us for translation or interpretation services; all are welcome, accessible accommodations are being prioritized. INDEPENDENT CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION 19 Thank You for Attending the ICRC’s Public Forum! Have a question or need clarification? Email us at icrc.commissioners@austintexas.gov