AOTL: CO’s Legislative Redistricting Commission Must Ensure Transparent & Accessible Process
For Immediate Release:
March 30, 2021
Contact:
Molly Mitchell
mitchell@redistrictingaction.org
AOTL: CO’s Legislative Redistricting Commission Must Ensure Transparent & Accessible Process
Commission Should Extend Public Comment Period by 60 Days
Today, Governor Jared Polis will convene the twelve-member Independent Legislative Redistricting Commission charged with drawing the state’s legislative districts as outlined in Amendment Z. The Commission will convene in the midst of the Census Bureau’s delay in sending apportionment and redistricting data to states.
“Given the Census data delay, the Independent Legislative Redistricting Commission must prioritize transparency and preserve all instances for public participation in the map-making process. The Commission’s first step should include following the Congressional Redistricting Commission’s lead and formally extend the written public comment period to be open until 10 days before staff completes its preliminary plan or, at minimum, 60 days,” said Marco Dorado, All On The Line (AOTL) Colorado State Director.
AOTL Colorado encourages the Legislative Redistricting Commission to follow these principles:
Colorado redistricting commissioners and commission staff must proactively plan to address any adjustments to their deadlines and processes that will be necessary as a result of this timeline shift.
The redistricting commissions must prioritize transparency during the redistricting process. Although the delayed release of redistricting data will impact the map drawing process, the commissions should maintain a robust public input process. New maps must be in place before the 2022 elections for both state legislative and congressional districts.
Colorado's Independent Legislative Redistricting Commission must ensure public input on communities of interest is adequately considered in the development of any proposed maps. Amendment Z outlined the important role of public input on communities of interest in the map making process, and the commission must prioritize collection and meaningful consideration of this important qualitative information.
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