The Hispanic Community Redistricting Task Force, which consists of organizations and individuals committed to an open redistricting process and ensuring equity for communities of interest, has presented its proposal for an open redistricting process to both houses of the General Assembly.
“As we looked at the House and Senate resolutions on redistricting we were pleased to see that they called for an ‘open’ process, a term we believe addresses the public right to know, participate and comment on the decisions which will determine our electoral influence for the next decade,” said Sandra Bucay, President of the First State LULAC Council, the Delaware chapter of the National League of United Latin American Citizens, a civil rights organization founded in 1929. “Our suggestion calls for a joint public orientation by both houses of the General Assembly to explain the process, tools, trends and meeting schedule to the public, at least two rounds of public meetings for viewing, comment and offering alternatives to the General Assembly proposals and a final meeting to view the final maps, proposed legislation and public comment.”
Georgetown businessman Craig de Mariana Aleman of Delaware Council of La Raza said, “The Hispanic population in Delaware has nearly doubled since the last census. Our suggestion differs from the process offered by the House of Representative in a call for an extensive joint orientation session by both houses of the General Assembly and meetings focused on comparing and offering real time input of community ideas for redistricting. It provides us with the opportunity to participate during the redistricting process and serves to focus the voice of communities of interest.”
Members and supporters of the Hispanic Community Redistricting Task Force include:
Governor’s Advisory Council in Hispanic Affairs, Delaware La Raza, First State LULAC Council, Delaware Coalition for Open Government, Rev. Dr. Christopher Alan Bullock, Canaan Baptist Church, ACLU-Delaware, Delaware League of Women Voters, Hispanic Business Association, Sahr Abu, Valorie Mack, Wanda Lopez, Tanya Negron, Maria Cabrera, Mirla Gomez, Irma Ortiz-Hernandez, Nancy Lopez, Pastor Catherine Rodriguez, Jacqueline Frey, Hispanic War Veterans of America
Hispanic Community Redistricting Task Force Proposal for Public Participation in the General Assembly Redistricting Process
The Task Force believes that the Delaware General Assembly adopting the following redistricting process for the House of Representatives and State Senate will strengthen public confidence, openness and public participation.
Our suggestion includes an agenda for a public orientation meeting and at least two public presentation rounds to review proposed districts and a final meeting to view the districts, enacting legislation and record public comment.
These meetings should be hosted by the redistricting committees of the General Assembly and held in Legislative Hall.
Orientation Meeting
Agenda
Legislative Caucus Redistricting Process
Caucus Redistricting Members and Staff
Apportionment Shifts
District Shifts
House and Senate Redistricting Resolutions and Related Legislation
Redistricting Data Sets
Redistricting Software
Caucus Committee Redistricting Meeting Schedule
Public Comment
Round 1 Review of Proposed Legislative Districts
Agenda
Public Meeting to Review Caucus District Proposals
Presentation of Community Proposals for Districts (Presentation slots will be by sign up by an agreed deadline before the meeting.)
Public Comment
Round Two Review of Proposed Legislative Districts*
Agenda
(The round two meeting will focus on proposals derived from the Round 1 input.)
Public Meeting to Review Caucus District Proposals
Presentation of Community Proposals for Districts (Presentation slots will be by sign up by an agreed deadline before the meeting.)
Public Comment
*Additional review rounds should be held, if necessary.
Final Proposal Review
Agenda
Review of final proposal for districts
Review of enacting legislation
Public Comment
