Bill Overview
Title: To require any entity established to develop congressional redistricting plans for a State to hold public hearings at which individuals who are members of communities of interest have a meaningful opportunity to express their views on proposed redistricting plans, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill requires any entity other than the legislature of a state that develops a congressional redistricting plan for a state, including an independent redistricting commission, to hold multiple public hearings prior to the development of a final plan, ensure that individuals may attend such hearings virtually, hold such hearings in locations which are within a reasonable distance of the locations of communities of interest, and ensure that members of communities of interest have meaningful opportunities to express their views on any of the entity's plans. For purposes of this bill, communities of interest may include political subdivisions such as counties, municipalities, tribal lands and reservations, or school districts, but shall not include common relationships with political parties or political candidates.
Sponsors: Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals living in areas subject to congressional redistricting worldwide
Estimated Size: 240000000
- Congressional redistricting affects all citizens who vote in federal elections, as it determines the boundaries of congressional districts where elections are held.
- The bill focuses on ensuring the representation of 'communities of interest,' which include political subdivisions like counties, municipalities, tribal lands and reservations, or school districts.
- Public hearings for redistricting plans will directly impact individuals living within these communities of interest, as their views on district boundaries can influence the representation they receive in Congress.
- Making hearings accessible virtually means that anyone with internet access from these communities can participate, thus increasing the reach of the bill's impact.
- Every ten years, the U.S. conducts a census, after which states may redraw congressional districts based on population changes. This process affects all U.S. residents, but those in shifting districts will be more significantly affected.
Reasoning
- The target of this policy is all U.S. residents who live in areas that undergo redistricting. This particularly includes voters who will benefit from increased transparency and accountability in the process.
- The policy aims for better representation in the legislature by considering communities of interest. This could potentially benefit communities that have historically been divided or ignored in redistricting processes.
- The policy also seeks to increase accessibility by allowing for virtual attendance in public hearings. This caters to the diverse population in America, ensuring broader engagement from those unable to attend in person due to geographic or mobility constraints.
- Ensuring participation from communities of interest could lead to increased feelings of political efficacy and satisfaction with the political process, potentially increasing overall wellbeing scores.
- The budget constraints suggest limits on how many hearings can be held and the extent of outreach, meaning not everyone will have the opportunity to engage extensively, focusing instead on strategic areas of interest.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad to see that communities of interest are being considered. It's important for areas like ours, which are rapidly growing, to have our voices heard in how districts are drawn.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
HR Manager (Harrisburg, PA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I want to ensure that both urban and rural interests are balanced in our state's district maps. The ability to have input is important to me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Software Engineer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could improve alignment between local needs and congressional decisions, which is crucial for minority communities like mine.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Farmer (Rural Iowa)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Public hearings are nice, but what matters most is that rural voices are properly represented and heard in these forums.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 72 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Allowing virtual hearings is great. More people will finally get a chance to speak up about what matters. Let's just hope it's used wisely.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
College Student (Austin, TX)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Engaging young voices in redistricting is crucial. Virtual options for hearings can really empower college students like me to get involved.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 66 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a step in the right direction for democracy. It's vital that our electoral maps are fair and representative of all communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Bartender (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this leads to better district lines in urban areas like ours, especially where you have diverse populations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Freelance Designer (Brooklyn, NY)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Virtually attended hearings can broaden access to many in our communities, helping keep our representatives aligned with our needs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
City Planner (Chicago, IL)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Holding multiple hearings is essential. Hopefully, this process will result in fairer maps that accurately reflect our communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 2: $10500000 (Low: $5250000, High: $15750000)
Year 3: $11025000 (Low: $5512500, High: $16537500)
Year 5: $12155000 (Low: $6077500, High: $18232500)
Year 10: $16289000 (Low: $8144500, High: $24433500)
Year 100: $29257300 (Low: $14628650, High: $43885950)
Key Considerations
- The cost estimates consider state-level variations in the number of hearings needed and geographic distribution of communities of interest.
- Virtual participation technology costs vary depending on existing infrastructure and state-specific needs.
- Long-term impacts include potential improvements in public trust and democratic engagement, which though intangible, may foster a more horizontal political landscape.