Common Council

Redistricting Redux

 

Dear Neighbors and Friends

I hope that you are well.  I had posted about the city's efforts to redraw district maps before.  I guess that I wanted to revisit this issue with you for a couple of reasons.  First, the more that I dig into the concept maps, I was completely shocked in how the new maps would directly attack UW-Madison students voices and effectively end student representation on the Madison Common Council.  Secondly, there are proposals underway that might dramatically change the boundaries of District 6.  For example, there is a proposal that would add the Tenney Lapham neighborhood to District 6 while removing parts of Atwood and Darbo Worthington.

While I understand the difficulties in creating fair maps, I cannot fathom any efforts to diminish UW-Madison student voices.  In my tenure as an alder, it was often times the alderperson for District 8 (campus area) that help to guide the Madison Common Council to take bold, new steps and actions.  To lose this voice would not only be an injustice for UW students, but for the city as a whole.  "UW-Madison students need the opportunity to elect an alder who truly understands the issues we care about. A campus alder can not only advocate for students in the Common Council but also increase participation and awareness on key issues on city boards, committees, and commissions" (letter from ASM).

As for changes in District 6, personally speaking, I would hate to lose the Darbo Worthington neighborhoods.  I think that it goes without saying that, there is a great deal of privilege within District 6. Currently, the Darbo Worthington neighborhoods contain extreme pockets of poverty.  It has always been my dream to help support changes that will help the Darbo/Worthington neighborhood to reach its full potential.  Maybe it doesn't matter in what district they are, but I was hoping to leverage other resources within District 6 to help these neighborhood flourish and grow. 

For years, state election maps have been gerrymandered to keep certain groups in power artificially.  As we demand new, fair maps at the state level, let's not forget how locally, election maps and redistricting have profound impacts as well. 

 

 

Neighborhood leaders, please widely circulate this information to your neighborhood organization, neighbors via listservs and social media, and others interested in the betterment of Madison neighborhoods.

 

 

Local redistricting is happening now! The City's Redistricting Committee needs your feedback on two Alder District Concepts Maps by Sunday September 26th. 

 

Local redistricting is the process of redrawing the City's wards and alder districts based on population changes since 2010. Redistricting determines how communities and neighborhoods are assembled into alder districts and other voting districts.

 

The two alder district concept maps: 1. Concept 5a, 2. Concept 6

 

Leave your feedback on the comment map: Redistricting Comment Map

 

Or drop into any Madison Public Library to see the 2 large print draft maps through this Sunday, September 26 and fill out a paper feedback form. 

 

Visual storymap about the redistricting process: Redistricting Storymap

 

Check out cityofmadison.com/Redistricting for more information and subscribe to updates.

 

Please forward this email to your friends, neighbors, colleagues, or others, and encourage them to get involved in the City of Madison redistricting efforts. Thank you for helping to spread the word!

 

Any questions, please email redistricting@cityofmadison.com

 

The City of Madison is celebrating National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021. To learn more visit:

https://www.cityofmadison.com/clerk/news/national-voter-registration-day-this-tuesday

 

 

 

 

 

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