If this past election has taught us anything, it’s that each of our votes truly matters and must be counted. To make sure that a fair election process happens every time, we must have fair electoral maps and end the practice of gerrymandering. We all need to play an active role in how our political maps are drawn during the upcoming redistricting process.
Redistricting is the process of redrawing our districts to reflect the change in our population recorded by the Census, which occurs every ten years. Gerrymandering happens when politicians manipulate this process in order to draw electoral maps that ensure their party wins more districts, which are out of proportion to the actual percentage of the population. Gerrymandering changes the value and weight of every vote. It’s unfair and it’s cheating — no matter which party tries it.
Our political system is broken and politicians are making it worse by using gerrymandering to ensure they get re-elected. Gerrymandering contributes to hyperpartisanship in our politics and allows politicians to pander to special interests, but ignore the people they represent.
2021 is an important year because we the people can call and lobby our elected officials as they draw maps. We can demand and attend hearings. We can make it known that it’s time to end gerrymandering. I’m asking my neighbors to join me and push for fair maps.
Tina Krauz, Grand Marais
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