๐ Is Tucson's Redistricting Committee Paving the Way for Barrio Breakup?
๐ค Redistricting Tucson Ward in 2024: Necessary or Not?
No redistricting is required by law this year, so the Redistricting Committee could do nothing or make major changesโฆ
๐ฝ Keepinโ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
๐ง๐พโ๐พ๐ฆ๐พ
The city of Tucson had a meeting ๐๏ธ about redistricting โ๏ธ, which is when they decide how to split up the city into different areas called wards ๐บ๏ธ. They talked about the rules ๐ they have to follow and what information ๐ they need to make good decisions ๐ค. They also picked a date ๐ for their next meeting to keep working on this important task ๐ ๏ธ.
๐๏ธ Takeaways
๐ง The Redistricting Advisory Committee held its first meeting, focusing on education about open meeting laws, legal requirements, and policy objectives.
๐ The next meeting was scheduled for Monday, September 9th at noon, despite scheduling conflicts among some members.
โ Questions were raised about the definition of terms like dilution, packing, fragmenting, and rough proportionality in the context of redistricting.
๐ Additional data was requested, including the total minority voting age population in Tucson and by ward, to properly study the rough proportionality goal.
๐ค Redistricting: Necessary or Not?
As the City of Tucson's Redistricting Advisory Committee (RAC) held its first meeting on August 28, 2024, a crucial question hung in the air: is redistricting even necessary this year? According to the city attorney's office, the current maximum population deviation (MPD) is just 2.9%, well within the legal requirements.
As Dennis McLaughlin from the city attorney's office stated, "legally none is required this cycle. We're well within the MPD."
This raises the question: is the committee just going through the motions, or will they seize this opportunity to make changes?
๐ณ๏ธ The Importance of Rough Proportionality
One key concept in ensuring fair minority representation is "rough proportionality." This principle aims to create a number of minority-majority wards proportional to the minority population's share of the overall voting-age population.
For example, as explained by Mr. McLaughlin, "if the citywide minority share of voting age population is 50%, then under the concept of rough proportionality, the number of wards where minority groups constitute a majority percentage of the voting age population should approximate 50% of the total number of wards."
However, committee member Ed Hendel pointed out that to properly study rough proportionality, they would need more data on the total minority voting age population in Tucson and by ward. This information is crucial for making informed decisions about ward boundaries.
๐ง Packing, Fragmenting, and Dilution: Obstacles to Fair Representation
Even with the concept of rough proportionality, minority communities can still face challenges in achieving fair representation. Practices like "packing" (concentrating minority groups into a single ward) and "fragmenting" (splitting minority communities across multiple wards) can dilute minority voting power.
As the committee grapples with these issues, they must also contend with a lack of clarity around key terms. Committee member Vanessa Gallego raised questions about the definitions of dilution, packing, fragmenting, and rough proportionality, highlighting the need for a shared understanding of these concepts.
โฐ A Ticking Clock and a Need for Action
Despite the importance of these issues, the committee seems to be off to a slow start. The next meeting wasn't scheduled until September 9th, nearly two weeks away, and there were concerns about delaying substantive discussions until mid to late September.
As committee member Vanessa Gallego warned, "If we wait until mid to late September to start getting into the substance, we're going to run into all the same problems we hit last time."
๐งญ Charting a Path Forward for Minority Representation
As the Redistricting Advisory Committee continues its work, it's essential that they prioritize minority representation and public engagement. Even if redistricting isn't legally required this cycle, the committee has an opportunity to make changes.
By delving into the data, clarifying key concepts, and engaging with Tucson's diverse communities, the committee can ensure that ward boundaries reflect the needs and voices of all residents.
๐ณ๏ธ Votes Taken
The committee voted to schedule the next meeting for Monday, September 9th at noon.
๐ฃ๏ธ People Mentioned
Vanessa Gallego, Member (Ward 1)
"My name is Vanessa Gallego. My pronouns are she, her, ella, representing Ward 1 and my first time here. Thank you for having me."
"I worry that if we wait until mid to late September to start getting into the substance, we're going to run into all the same problems we hit last time."
Vanessa Gallego is a first-time member of the Redistricting Advisory Committee, representing Ward 1. She expressed concerns about delaying substantive discussions until mid to late September, fearing a repeat of past issues.
Dr. Maribel Alvarez, Member (Mayor)
"Hello, everyone. I'm Maribel Alvarez. I serve in 2022. I'm a professor at the University of Arizona."
Suggested having meetings dedicated to listening to the public: "we just really want to hear your ideas and your understandings and specifically call for a meeting that is for that purpose."
Dr. Maribel Alvarez is a professor at the University of Arizona and a member of the Redistricting Advisory Committee appointed by the Mayor. She served on the committee in 2022.
Ed Hendel, Member (Ward 3)
"My name is Ed Hendel. I am the Ward 3 president of the City of Tucson. I am the city representative for Kevin Dahl. I was also on this committee in 2022."
Requested additional data: "in order to properly study the rough proportionality goal, we would need a little bit more data," including the total minority voting age population in Tucson and by ward.
Ed Hendel is the Ward 3 president of the City of Tucson and represents Kevin Dahl on the Redistricting Advisory Committee. He also served on the committee in 2022.
Robert Jaramillo, Member (Ward 5)
"My name is Robert Jaramillo. I'm a long-time resident of Tucson, Arizona. I have had the pleasure to serve on this committee last time. I serve on other committees as well."
Robert Jaramillo is a long-time Tucson resident and member of the Redistricting Advisory Committee representing Ward 5. He has served on the committee previously and is involved with other city committees.
Tre'Davon Rhodes, Member (Ward 2)
"My name is TreโDevon Rhodes. I'm a student at the University of Arizona. Very excited to be on the board and let's get some good work done."
Tre'Davon Rhodes is a student at the University of Arizona and a member of the Redistricting Advisory Committee representing Ward 2.
Mr. Jon Aitken, Member (Ward 4)
"My name is John Aitken. I represent Ward 4. I have been on this particular committee before and I have the most of the privilege of serving on two or three other city of Tucson committees as well."
Mr. Jon Aitken represents Ward 4 on the Redistricting Advisory Committee. He has served on the committee before and is involved with several other city of Tucson committees.
Raquel Abel, Member (Ward 6)
Raquel Abel is listed as a member of the Redistricting Advisory Committee representing Ward 6.