Op-ed: Listening to citizen demands for fair redistricting

Over the next two months, the redistricting process will take place and our governing bodies will have to act upon what our citizens want: a fair and transparent redistricting process.

In eleven joint public hearings held across the state, the Georgia Senate and House redistricting committees heard from hundreds of citizens reflecting the increase in diversity in Georgia: from youth as young as 13 years-old and seniors speaking from their experience, to multi-racial speakers from different socio-economic backgrounds. The overwhelming theme was consistent. The people we represent want a redistricting process that preserves and keeps their communities together.

An analysis done by independent experts showed two-thirds of the small cities in Georgia are split into multiple House districts despite having populations that could be –and formerly were - easily contained within one district. Some cities are also divided into different Senate and Congressional districts.

In Macon, 157,000 people could be represented by as few as three Congressional districts; currently Macon is divided into five districts and Bibb County is divided between two Congressional districts. Considering Macon’s diverse population (Black population: 54%, White population: 36%, Hispanic: 4%, Asian and other: 6%), we are faced with accounting for true representation as several other areas in Georgia face the same challenge.

In August, the U.S. Census Bureau released the population data required to draw district maps. The process is now underway and begins with establishing committee guidelines in a public forum. In April, a coalition of redistricting organizations provided input on best-practices for the committee guidelines. It is now up to the committee to employ the guidelines in fairness and transparency as we release the maps to the public.

All citizens of Georgia have a stake in the maps. Why? The same maps will govern our elections for the next decade. As legislators we take a pledge, under oath, to serve and listen to our constituents and work in full view of the public. Redistricting should be no different.

Georgians have been clear in their request for a fair and transparent redistricting process. It is imperative we demonstrate that we’ve listened to their input and will continue to remain accountable to their requests, not our own personal agendas.

Rep. James Beverly is the Minority House Leader of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus.

This story was originally published October 10, 2021 at 7:00 AM.