Every state is required to re-draw their legislative district lines after each census, to ensure that districts correspond with the changes in population as reflected by the most recent Census data. The process by which this happens is known as “redistricting.”
In a few weeks, the Arkansas legislature will reconvene to take up the issue of redrawing the district lines to correspond with population changes from the 2020 Census. What does this mean for your voting rights, and how will it impact disability policy going forward? And how can YOU get involved to make sure your interests are represented fairly at the state capitol and in Washington, D.C.?
On this month’s Speak Up Arkansas, we talked with Loriee Evans from Indivisible – Little Rock and Central Arkansas, and Kwami Abdul-Bey of the Arkansas Peace and Justice Memorial Movement. This discussion will air on KABF 88.3-FM’s Speak Up Arkansas next Wednesday, September 29 at 5 p.m. But with the legislature reconvening that very day, we decided that this issue is so important, and this episode so packed with great information, that we’re sharing the recording early.
Just a few of the topics we cover in this episode include:
- The various steps of the redistricting process;
- What is the Board of Apportionment? What do they do? How is that different from what the Arkansas Legislature will do this fall?
- Why is this year’s redistricting process particularly important? How does this process impact the policy landscape in Arkansas?
- What is gerrymandering, and how does it impact how we’re represented in government?
- How can regular Arkansans get involved with this process?
- What do we need to be watching for when the legislature reconvenes?
Loriee tells us about how regular citizens can – and should – take action. And Kwami shares with you how you – yeah, you! – can create a map in your own district to share with policymakers.
Check out the recording, share it with your family and friends, and listen in when it airs on KABF 88.3-FM next Wednesday, September 29 at 5:00 p.m. or stream it live online.
This is a great one. Don’t miss it!
SHOW NOTES
Stay in the know and take action! SIGN UP TODAY for Disability Rights Arkansas legislative updates and other important news: https://disabilityrightsar.salsalabs.org/intheknow/index.html
For calls to action, links to bills and maps, other vital information about redistricting, and much more, visit Indivisible Little Rock-Central Arkansas: https://www.indivisiblelrca.org/
Have your say – draw your own district and share it with elected officials! Check out https://www.representable.org/drive/arkansas-fair-equitable-mapping/
Visit the Arkansas Peace and Justice Memorial Movement website: https://apjmm.org
Make a public comment to the Board of Apportionment (the Governor, the Secretary of State, and the Attorney General) to make sure they have important information about your community. Click here: https://arkansasredistricting.org/public-comments/public-comment/
View videos of past Board of Apportionment hearings here: https://arkansasredistricting.org/events-calendar/