The Los Angeles Post

Local grassroots organization to hold event to help bring awareness to Auburn redistricting process, proposed maps

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Local community organization, Hometown Organizing Project, is on the ground working to help Auburn residents better understand the new ward maps that have been proposed, how they can get involved in the local redistricting process and give public comments on those maps.

 

Redistricting is a once-in-a-decade process of accounting for state-level population changes in Alabama to draw new district maps from the federal level to the local level which makes an impact on how funding is distributed for many community resources throughout neighborhoods.

 

The local lines drawn by the Auburn City Council during this cycle will impact and shape Auburn residents’ lives for the next decade.

 

The council is responsible for tasks such as passing the budgets, regulating business licenses, responding to community complaints, passing ordinances and regulations dealing with everything from property abatements and leash laws to fireworks prohibitions to speed bumps.

 

The 2020 Census Data showed significant growth for Auburn and the maps must be drawn to reflect those changes to help ensure that the principle of “One Person, One Vote” is met.

 

“Auburn’s population grew by 43% over the past 10 years with non-white residents now making up nearly a third of the population. Our local city council should reflect that diversity and making sure communities are heard during this local redistricting process is the first step,” Felicia Scalzetti, redistricting organizer for Hometown Organizing Project, said.

 

Public engagement in the local redistricting process is vital to ensuring that everyone has a seat at the table for the next 10 years.

 

To help Auburn residents get a better understanding of the process, Hometown Organizing Project will hold a virtual community redistricting meeting on December 1, at 6 p.m.

 

“The purpose of the event is to generate public interest and public comment on the city’s redistricting plan,” Warren Tidwell, lead organizer for Hometown Organizing Project, said. “The residents of Auburn are the ones who know their community. It’s important for folks to understand their help and insight is needed to inform this process. When people aren’t engaged civically, too often the decisions that are made by the powers that be don’t reflect the needs and experiences of the broader community. It’s not always easy for people to know how to get involved so we hope to be a conduit for folks who want to take an active role in their community.”

 

During the meeting, organizers will discuss the following:

  • A brief overview of redistricting;

  • Process/timeline of redistricting in Auburn;

  • Discuss the proposed city of Auburn map;

  • Discuss possible alternatives and community involvement; and,

  • Allow questions from participants

 

Drawing fair local lines will allow Auburn residents to choose leaders who understand and will fight for needed resources to solve community issues and promote growth and sustainability.

 

To learn more about the redistricting process, register for the meeting at: rur-al.org/AuburnMaps.

 

In addition to participating in Wednesday’s community meeting, there are several ways residents can become active in Auburn’s redistricting process in the coming weeks.

 

The City of Auburn has set up a redistricting website for those who are interested in seeing the map proposed.

 

Residents are also encouraged to attend an Open House event sponsored by the City of Auburn on December 6, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., at the Boykin Community Center.

The Auburn City Council is expected to discuss the maps on December 21, at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

 

Local residents can also provide public comments regarding their ward by utilizing a form created by the City of Auburn. To fill out the form click here.