Mapping your community and identifying its shared interests allows public officials to take your community’s concerns into account during redistricing.
Every ten years, the United States draws new voting districts. District lines decide who votes for which representatives in local, state, and federal elections.
Politicians have been splitting up or packing together communities into voting districts that silence their voices. Mapping your community of interest helps fight gerrymandering.
A Community of Interest is a geographic area that shares cultural, historical, or economic interests.
In Georgia, maps are drawn by the Legislature. In the event that the Census Bureau delays releasing population data, to maintain the current primary schedule, the Legislature will need to hold a special session in fall 2021 or work early in the 2022 session to complete redistricting.
In addition to the federal requirements of one person, one vote and the Voting Rights Act, Georgia’s state constitution requires that state legislative districts:
The legislative guidelines for the 2011-12 redistricting House and Senate committees additionally required that district maps:
In the redistricting process, your state has previously required the consideration of communities of interest (COIs). Though currently undefined under state guidelines, a community of interest is typically a population that shares cultural, historical, or economic interests. Communities do not necessarily share the same political viewpoints or support for certain candidates or political parties. Add your community to contribute your voice to the redistricting process