League of Women Voters Hosts Day of Action to Bring Attention to Redistricting

More than 100 Events across the country on April 29 center the ‘People Powered Day of Action'

WASHINGTON - This Thursday, the League of Women Voters will host People Powered Day of Action, with more than 100 events around the country focusing on bringing communities together and making redistricting a nationwide priority. The day will kick off with a National People Powered Day of Action Pep Rally at 10 AM ET.  

“Redistricting only happens once every ten years, so it is critical that maps are drawn with communities in mind to ensure every voter is represented in our democracy,” said League of Women Voters CEO, Virginia Kase. “For decades the League has fought for fair redistricting and called for an end to racial and political gerrymandering. This week we learned which states will gain and lose seats in Congress as a result of our nation’s changing population. That’s why it is more important than ever for communities around the country to be engaged in the redistricting process in an effort to ensure fair and transparent maps are this year.” 

In 2019 the League launched People Powered Fair Maps^TM, a nationwide effort to fight for and protect fair and transparent redistricting processes across the country following the ruling in Supreme Court case Rucho v. League of Women Voters of North Carolina. Since the launch of People Powered Fair Maps, Leagues in all 50 states have held over 2000 events bringing communities together, engaged over 1200 partners, and held over 3500 stakeholder meetings related to the map-drawing process. 

“Leagues will host events in 45 states and DC together with a variety of partners to raise awareness about the importance of redistricting,” said the National Director of organizing, Alma Couverthie. “Events will range from town halls and rallies to movie screenings and civic educational events. We hope that through our day of action we empower people in their communities to actively engage in this year’s map-drawing process.”  

The League is proud to partner with the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM), Greenpeace, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for the day of action pep rally.  

“NAACP knows that racial gerrymandering is an attack on communities of color not to have fair representation at all levels of government,” said Dominik Whitehead the Vice President of Campaigns at the NAACP. “Black voters helped to change the course of our democracy during the 2020 Presidential Election and the Georgia Runoff Election, and as a result, there has been retaliation and attacks on our voting rights. It is more important than ever that we work together to ensure a fair and transparent redistricting process, our democracy depends on it.” 

“Immigrants – undocumented or otherwise – are home in this country,” said Rabayah Akhter the Project Manager for Immigration at FIRM. “We fought hard to be counted in the Census and we demand transparency, inclusion, and fair maps that truly represent our communities. FIRM is committed to working with partners and community members to ensure that fair and equitable maps are drawn this year.” 

“Redistricting is one of the key issues of our time and has a direct impact on our fight for the planet,” said Democracy Campaigner for Greenpeace, Jonathan Butler. “Black and Brown communities, who are most often on the frontlines of climate disaster, deserve fair representation and the chance to elect leaders that will fight for the health of their communities, and in turn our planet. The fight for fair maps gives us an opportunity to ensure that all voices are heard, especially in the fight for clean air and clean water. Key issues that have a disproportionate impact on communities of color but ultimately all of us.”  

For more information about the day of action and events around the country, check out LWV.org.