The Citizens League invited all meeting guests whom had email addresses on file to provide feedback on the meeting, including questions on redistricting. The answers are summarized here:
Was there any information that you found particularly interesting?
To this open-ended question, respondents overwhelmingly indicated that the most interesting piece of information on redistricting was discovering the “values” of the crowd on the topic. After that, they really liked the examples, particularly the Massachusetts one, and were interested in learning that gerrymandering isn’t all necessarily bad. A few also reported liking learning about options in redistricting.
Do you have any suggestions for presenting redistricting to the general public?
Most recommended using specific examples for implications on the audience (district, community, etc.) as the best way to garner interest in the topic of redistricting, particularly the impact of losing a congressional seat. Many recommended presenting implications as a “threat” to their democracy, or by telling the “horror story” of what could come. Once the audiences’ attention has been piqued, respondents believed that using illustrative examples of the implications and issues with redistricting — like Massachusetts, Arizona, and/or a local example — and explaining redistricting “values” would be the best way to engage citizens. Providing background and historical information is important, as is presenting examples of options in redistricting. One respondent noted that for many citizens, the case will have to be made that they can have an impact on this process, otherwise they’ll continue to believe that redistricting will only ever be a “closed door” deal that they won’t be able to impact.
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