John, the coming few months will determine what our democracy looks like for the next decade. And quite frankly, the extent of effort you and I make could very well shape that future.
You see, this month marked the official beginning of the 2021 redistricting cycle. That means states across the country will now draw their new voting districts for the 2022 elections and beyond.
Frighteningly… without bold, nationwide action by Common Cause members like you and me, there’s a serious risk that the voting maps drawn by partisan politicians will lock in a decade of unfair, inequitable representation in government.
I’m writing to let you know about something you can do right now to help ensure fair maps for the 2022 midterms and beyond. But first, let me explain what we’re up against -- and why your involvement with Common Cause and our action together is so important.
You’ve probably heard stories of communities split into pieces by district lines -- leaving them without an elected representative who will wholeheartedly advocate for them. Instead, they get taken for granted by power-hungry politicians who have drawn themselves into “safe” districts and who can ignore constituents.
I regret to inform you, John, it’s about to get a lot worse if we don’t fight back.
Ever since the Supreme Court refused to rein in extreme partisan gerrymandering in our Rucho v. Common Cause lawsuit in 2019, some politicians have been plotting just how far they can go to silence voters and rig district maps this year using the new census data.
If we don’t stop them, they’ll be free to draw heinously unrepresentative maps. And those new district maps won't just be used in next year’s midterms -- they'll lock in an unfair advantage until at least the year 2030.
Who loses? Communities across the country -- which will be denied fair representation and the resources they need to thrive.
That’s why I wanted to give you early notice of Common Cause’s official Fair Maps 2021 Action Plan -- a massive mobilization to guarantee impartial government and equitable representation for every American.
FIRST: As I write you, we are recruiting and training thousands of individual Common Cause members and volunteers -- especially among those traditionally denied a voice in government -- to serve as Community Advocates for fair maps.
THEN: Those Community Advocates will jump into state and local redistricting proceedings, attend hearings, share why their community shouldn’t be divided for partisan gain, give testimony, and meet with mapmakers -- taking whatever action is required to make sure they, and every other American, have their voices heard.
FINALLY: We’ll be closely watchdogging and scrutinizing new maps the moment they’re released. This will ensure we’re ready to file whatever lawsuits are necessary to OVERTURN deviously gerrymandered maps -- and uphold Americans’ fundamental right to a meaningful say in the decisions that affect our future.
John, all of this must occur in just a few short months. And at exactly the same time, we are mounting a massive nationwide campaign to pass the For the People Act -- historic federal legislation that would permanently ban the odious gerrymandering that we’re fighting against state by state.
IN ADDITION... even as our state teams are on the front lines fighting voter suppression laws in states like Florida, Texas, and Georgia, they must now -- on top of everything else -- take on new efforts to prevent those extremist state legislatures from drawing districts that silence voters even further.
Simply put, fighting this once-in-a-decade battle against dishonest and discriminatory gerrymandering will require a major infusion of resources -- and I am writing to you in hopes that you can step up to help provide them.
Fortunately, a special group of Common Cause members has discovered that the most impactful way to assure fairer representation is by becoming a Guardian for Democracy >>
The monthly contributions from each Guardian for Democracy give Common Cause the critically important ability to plan and budget for upcoming campaigns and mobilizations.
John, if you join these activists and become a Guardian today, we’ll send you a copy of Robert Reich’s new book "The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It" as a thank-you gift.
Our Guardians for Democracy are acting effectively to protect our democracy by making a small, monthly contribution to keep this work going. Will you join them?
Sorry, I can't become a sustaining member at this time, but I’d still like to make a one-time gift to help where it’s needed most >>
I believe, as I’m sure you do too, that every single person who lives in this country -- no matter who they are, what they look like, or where they come from -- should have their voice matter in our democracy.
That’s why I’m deeply disturbed to see some partisan politicians attempting to deny us that right. But make no mistake -- I’m also encouraged that we will prevail because I know we can count on you.
With your immediate and generous help we can -- together -- repel this assault on democracy and guarantee fair representation for all of us.
Thanks for taking bold action for democracy at this critical moment.
Suzanne Almeida, Redistricting and Representation Counsel
and the team at Common Cause
