* by Dr. Julie Pham
SEATTLE (NAM).-The forum designed to solicit public comment on redistricting with the highest attendance across Washington was one that was never meant to be. This forum also drew the most ethnically diverse set of attendees, many of whom came to share their views on the proposal of a new majority minority congressional district, the issue that has drawn the most attention throughout all the public forums.
Originally, the Washington State Redistricting Commission (WSRC) only scheduled 17 public forums to listen to the public’s opinion on how the state should be divided up into congressional and legislative districts. Last month, after the public expressed desire to hold a forum in south Seattle, which contains one of the most ethnically diverse zip codes in the nation, the WSRC agreed to hold one more forum there on August 9.
At the eighteenth forum, WSRC counted over 165 people who crowded New Holly Gathering Hall in south Seattle, considered to be home to one of the most ethnically diverse zip codes in the United States. According to WSRC, most of the previous forums averaged 40-65 attendees.
“I was impressed by how organized and energetic and positive the crowd,” Bonnie Bunning, the Executive Director of WSRC. “There were some very thoughtful comments about what it means to be a new American and what redistricting means to them, especially for those who came from countries that don’t have the same democratic process.”
Local resident Linh Thai came to the forum to express his support of a majority minority district. He said he has volunteered his time gathering signatures from many Vietnamese Americans for the UFR’s petition.
“Having a 10th congressional district will mean elected officials elected by a majority of minorities,” said Thai. “That would be the fair and right thing to do, at the state and federal level. Being able to vote for elected officials who represent our interests means having a seat the table, which is extremely important in terms of asset allocation.”
After the 2010 Census showed Washington’s population increased by nearly 1 million people, Washington gained a tenth congressional district. People of color also make up 27% of the state. According to the Census, Washington’s Hispanic population grew by 71 percent and the Asian population grew by 50 percent. Minorities make up 35% in King County and 52% in Yakama County. According to immigrant rights group, OneAmerica, immigrant voters represent 7.5% of the state’s electorate – or 231,755 registered voters.
With the minority populations on the rise, voter advocacy groups want to see the creation of a “majority minority district” as the new 10th.
The United for Fair Representation (UFR) coalition leads the effort to push the WSRC to draw a majority minority 10th congressional district and they have already submitted “Unity Maps,” versions of what a majority minority tenth congressional district based in south Seattle and south King County could look like.
The coalition comprises of leaders and organizations serving communities of color across Washington State including the Win-Win Network, One America, Latino Community Fund, Tacoma Black Collective, Asian Pacific Americans for Civic Empowerment and more. Aside from organizing people to testify at the public forums, they have also started a petition.
If a majority minority district is approved, it would be a historic first in Washington State.
“This is a great civic engagement community opportunity,” said Cherry Cayabyab, redistricting campaign manager for UFR. “We were able to create these maps based on the data people created in the census form. That’s why it was so important to fill out their Census form. And make sure their vote count. “
The UFR coalition also advocates for another congressional district in Eastern Washington to be redrawn so that Yakama and the Tri-Cities, home to large Hispanic populations, will be in put together in one congressional district, strengthening the Hispanic vote in that area.
“This region is where the inequity is clearly violating section of 2 of federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Latino community is cracked in three districts, their votes are being diluted, their voting power is being diluted,” said Cayabyab. “With our proposal to create this, if the commission doesn’t redraw the district, then there will be litigation from ACLU.”
WSRC declined to comment on how the 18th forum would sway the commission’s decision on how to draw the districts because they want to remain open-minded to more public comment, which they will accept through November 1. The commission comprises two Democrats, two Republicans, and one non-partisan member. People have the right to submit alternative maps until August 15.
