People of color lead redistricting coalition advocates for three majority minority King County Counc
Community News
Author : Cherry Cayabyab
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 11, 2011
Contact:
Cherry Cayabyab
206.436.0837
cherry@fairrepresentationwa.org
People of color lead redistricting coalition advocates for three majority minority King County Council districts
SEATTLE, Washington - The United for Fair Representation coalition will advocate for the creation of three King County Council districts with a majority of people of color at tonight's Districting Committee public hearing at Van Asselt Community Center, 2820 S Myrtle Street, in Seattle.
King County released four districting plan drafts and not one proposes three majority minority districts, which was requested at an earlier hearing by George Cheung, executive director of the Win Win Network. "Each of the four proposals, dilutes the voting strength of communities of color, which comprises one third of King County's population," he states. "We are concerned that the proposals inadvertently 'crack' the voting strength of our communities, and could lead to the disproportionate lack of concern for the needs of our communities at the county level." The 1965 Federal Voting Rights Act protects and prohibits the vote dilution of minority communities.
The United for Fair Representation coalition was formed to advocate for districts that include a majority of people of color during the 2011 redistricting process. The creation of majority minority districts increases the civic engagement and participation of people of color because they will feel that their vote is not diluted and will matter. Elected representatives will be more accountable and can reflect the diversity of their district. The coalition comprises of leaders and organizations serving communities of color across WA state including the Win Win Network, One America, Latino Community Fund, Tacoma Black Collective, Asian Pacific Americans for Civic Empowerment and more. Please find more information at www.fairrepresenationwa.org.
The redistricting process, mandated by state law and the King County Charter requires that the council districts be redrawn after the release of the federal census in order to reflect the changing demographics of the county. This process ensures that districts be roughly equal in population, in order to ensure that each citizen's vote equally counts. Citizens are encouraged to submit public testimony online atwww.kingcounty.gov/operations/districting/testimony.aspx.
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Website: www.fairrepresentationwa.org
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