Raise Your Voice for Fair Immigrant Representation!

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Mark your calendars: The Washington State Redistricting Commission is hosting its final public forum on redrawing voter maps next Tuesday, August 9th, starting at 6:00pm, at the New Holly Gathering Hall in south Seattle. 

Why is it important that we pack the house for this final hearing? This year, Washington gained a new congressional district to reflect the surge in population, partly thanks to a boom in immigration in the past decade. The result is that many cities in south King County can boast of a mosaic of cultures, languages, and people. Currently, four cities - Renton, Tukwila, SeaTac, and Kent - consists of a majority population of communities of color. In order to ensure fair political representation, OneAmerica and its allies have been pushing for the newly gained 10th Congressional District to be allocated to south King County, as well as for the creation of six other majority-minority Legislative Districts across the state. With these majority-minority districts, representatives who are responsive to the needs of immigrant communities and represent immigrant voices in Olympia are more likely to be elected. 

Next Tuesday is the Washington State Redistricting Commission's final public hearing for input on new voter maps before the committee goes into drafting mode. This meeting also happens to be in south Seattle, where we are fighting for a majority-minority Congressional District. We sure aren't missing out on this opportune event to urge the redistricting commissioners to give immigrant communities the voting power they deserve, and we encourage you to join us in advocating for majority-minority districts. 

In fact, the commissioners are already listening. The meeting next Tuesday was not originally on the schedule of public forums, but thanks to community advocates raising their voices loud and clear on behalf of communities of color, the redistricting commission agreed to one final public meeting in south Seattle. Let's make this last one count. 

Here is the address for the hearing:

New Holly Gathering Center
7054 32nd Ave South
Seattle, WA 98118

The public hearing will start at 6:00pm with a viewing of current district maps and an informal discussion with map specialists, followed by a presentation by the Commission on the redistricting process, and lastly time for public comment. Those who are planning on attending who need special assistance such as language interpretation can contact Heather Boe at 360-786-0770 or heather.boe@redistricting.wa.gov