Census / Public News Service

Arkansans for a Unified Natural State and other groups have been collecting signatures since October to overturn the state congressional maps due to concerns of partisan gerrymandering. They have until Jan. 15, 2022 to collect 54,000 signatures. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

AR Groups: New House, Senate Maps Break Up Communities

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The Arkansas Board of Apportionment has approved its House and Senate district maps based on 2020 U.S. Census data, and voting-…

The Princeton Gerrymandering Project awarded an "A" for partisan fairness to all three New Mexico legislative maps adopted by a citizen committee. (climate-xchange.org)

NM Legislature Set to Meet on Redistricting Maps

SANTA FE, N.M. -- The New Mexico Legislature will consider three possible redistricting maps for the House and Senate when it meets for a special …

Colorado state demographers project that by 2050, one in three Colorado residents will be Latino. (Adobe Stock)

Latinos Win Seat at Voter Redistricting Table

DENVER - This year Colorado joined 13 other states trying to take politics out of the once-a-decade voter redistricting process, and Latino …

Texas' population grew by 13.7% between 2010 and 2020, with Black, Latino, and Asian American and Pacific Islander residents representing the three fastest-growing groups. (brennancenter.org)

Lawsuit Claims Texas Redistricting Maps Disenfranchise Minority Voters

AUSTIN, Texas -- Legal challenges are piling up in Texas over newly-drawn congressional and legislative district maps, with the latest alleging they …

Pennsylvania's Legislative Reapportionment Commission, which creates the state House and Senate voting-district maps, is comprised of two Republicans and two Democrats from the House and Senate, and a nonpartisan chair. (Adobe Stock)

'The People's Maps' Aim to be Framework for Fair PA Redistricting

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Members of Pennsylvania's Legislative Reapportionment Commission have said they anticipate releasing proposed state House and …

The Arkansas Board of Apportionment is composed of Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and Secretary of State John Thurston. (Adobe Stock)

Redistricting Comment Period Open for AR House, Senate Maps

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The Arkansas Board of Apportionment (BOA) is seeking public comment after revealing its proposed state House and Senate voting-…

The legislative committees on redistricting have yet to put out congressional maps. (Christian Pauschert/Adobe Stock)

Groups Hope New Maps Can Bring More Reflective Diversity to MA Politics

FALL RIVER, Ma. -- The redistricting process in Massachusetts is well under way, with the Senate expected to vote soon on new maps for the next …

There is already some vocal disagreement about the Arkansas Legislature's new congressional-district map, which splits the Little Rock area between three of the four districts. (Adobe Stock)

AR Group Petitioning to Overturn Congressional Redistricting Map

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- A voting-rights coalition is pushing to overturn Arkansas' new congressional maps approved by the state Legislature this month…

Between 2000 and 2010, Texas' population increased by nearly 4.3 million, more than in all other states, with Houston adding 200,000 residents. (act014/Pixabay)

TX House Takes Up Redistricting Map That Lacks Minority Representation

AUSTIN, Texas -- Data from the 2020 U.S. Census showed 95% of Texas' population growth came from minorities, but the proposed redistricting map …

The Freedom to Vote Act, introduced in the Senate, among other measures, would prevent partisan gerrymandering and ensure transparency in the redistricting process. (tampatra/Adobe Stock)

Groups Say Federal Legislation Needed to Open Up IN Redistricting Process

INDIANAPOLIS -- Gov. Eric Holcomb signed new voting district maps for the General Assembly into law this week, but good-government groups say not …

In the last month, women took unpaid leave from work to care for children at roughly 1.8 times the rate of men, according to Census Bureau data. (shangarey/Adobe Stock)

Affordable Child Care Helps MA Families Get Back to Work

HOLYOKE, Mass. - With the school year in full swing for Massachusetts K-through-12 students, many parents are seeking early-childhood education and …

Meetings on redistricting in Idaho began in the State Capitol on Sept. 1. (Devin Allphin/Adobe Stock)

As ID Redistricting Sprints to Finish, Latinx Coalition Urges Engagement

BOISE, Idaho - Redistricting is happening fast in Idaho, and one group wants to ensure the state's Latinx voices are heard in this process. The …

Pennsylvania's Legislative Reapportionment Commission has held three public hearings so far to gather resident's input on the redistricting process. (Adobe Stock)

PA Creates Redistricting Advisory Council to Help Prevent Gerrymandering

HARRISBURG, Pa. - A new Redistricting Advisory Council announced last week by Gov. Tom Wolf's office will focus on reducing gerrymandering as new …

Minnesota led the nation in self-response to the census. A variety of groups ensured typically undercounted residents, including BIPOC residents and college students, completed their forms. (Adobe Stock)

Post-Census, MN Urged to Help More Diverse Population

MINNEAPOLIS -- Researchers, nonprofits, and public-policy advocates continue to analyze census data released late this summer. An increase in …

The Oregon Legislature released two different maps, with Plan A above, for how to draw its six congressional districts. (Oregonlegislature.gov)

Short Period for Public Input on OR Voting Maps Begins

PORTLAND, Ore. -- A small window for public input is open to discuss the Oregon Legislature's proposed voting maps. After receiving detailed census …

Between 2020 and 2021, LGBTQ elected officials in the U.S. increased by 17 percent, with 986 now serving. (Ivan Burchak/AdobeStock)

MI Groups: Keep LGBTQ Communities Together in New Voting Maps

LANSING, Mich. -- Michiganders are drawing new voting-district maps, with help from data from the 2020 census, but advocates for LGBTQ political …

New Mexico is one of a dozen states giving residents access to the software and web tools needed to participate in 2021 redistricting. (New Mexico Legislature)

Fairness, Transparency Urged as NM Redistricting Advances

SANTA FE, N.M. -- In less than two weeks, proposed maps will be available to New Mexico residents who are following the once-a-decade redrawing of U.…

Arkansas's Board of Apportionment, which draws state House and Senate lines, consists of the governor, secretary of state and attorney general. (Adobe Stock)

AR Advocates Want to Ensure Community Voice Heard During Redistricting

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Arkansas has less than a month until it receives user-friendly census data to help draw state and congressional district maps…

The Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution in Pendleton has a capacity of about 1,600 people. (tomas/Adobe Stock)

Despite Past Attempts, OR Not Among States to End Prison Gerrymandering

PORTLAND, Ore. - Local prison populations can affect how voting districts will be drawn. Eleven states, including Washington, have reconsidered …

Nearly 240,000 Idahoans identify as Hispanic or Latino, according to the 2020 U.S. census. (mmg1design/Adobe Stock)

ID Grows More Diverse, But Not Its Redistricting Commission

BOISE, Idaho - The redistricting process begins today in Idaho, and some are raising concerns that the commission overseeing it doesn't reflect the …

According to a Villanova University study, more than 200,000 Pennsylvania residents, 100,000 of whom are Black, currently are underrepresented due to prison gerrymandering. (Adobe Stock)

PA Advocates Praise Commission's Vote to End 'Prison Gerrymandering'

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Pennsylvania's Legislative Reapportionment Commission, the body tasked with creating the state's legislative maps based on U.S…

There are 31 LGBTQ individuals holding elected office in Ohio. (AdobeStock)

LGBTQ Ohioans Look for Fair Representation

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio leaders are drawing new voting district maps, with help from data from the 2020 census, but advocates for LGBTQ political …

Between 2020 and 2021, the number of LGBTQ elected officials serving across the U.S. increased by 17%. (michaklootwijk/Adobe Stock)

Census Lacks Key Data on LGBTQ Communities for Redistricting

CHICAGO -- Counties, towns and school districts across the state, and the Illinois Legislature, are drawing new voting district maps, with help from …

Armed with new census data, Wisconsin leaders are moving forward with redistricting. The new political maps are expected to result in a court fight, but fair-map advocates cite some optimistic signs this time around. (Adobe Stock)

Politics Aside, WI Residents Can Submit Redistricting Input

MADISON, Wis. - Going into the current redistricting cycle, Wisconsin was viewed as a state where political tension would underscore new legislative …

Using data from the 2020 Census, Utah will draw new legislative districts for the 2022 midterm elections and the rest of the decade. (WScottMcGill/Adobe Stock)

Two Panels to Produce Maps for Utah Redistricting Process

SALT LAKE CITY -- Now that the Census figures are out, the once-a-decade redistricting process begins in earnest in Utah. It will be different this …

New census numbers show that 56% of Nebraska's population now resides in just three counties: Douglas, Lancaster and Sarpy. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraskans to See Narrow Window for Public Input on New Voting Districts

LINCOLN, Neb. -- As Nebraska lawmakers sort through new 2020 Census numbers to update voting districts, watchdog groups are encouraging all residents …

The town of Bloomfield is located in southern Iowa, 11 miles from the Missouri border. (cityofbloomfield.org)

Some IA Towns Immune to Rural Decline

IOWAWATCH COLLABORATION BLOOMFIELD, Iowa - America's rural population decline has been well-documented, with more people flocking to urban centers…

Ohio's population has increased 2.3% since the 2010 census, but the state isn't growing at a fast enough pace to maintain all 16 of its U.S. House districts. (Adobe Stock)

Public Redistricting Hearings "Inaccessible" for Working Ohioans

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Redistricting Commission will host 10 public hearings next week to gather input on the state's mapmaking process after …

Based on its 2020 census data growth, Texas will be one of six states to gain Congressional seats, and the only state to get more than one. (dixoncain/Pixabay)

2020 Census Data Puts Spotlight on Texas' Growing Suburbs

AUSTIN, Texas -- Many states have implemented independent commissions to oversee redistricting based on the 2020 Census count, but Texas is not one …

New state electoral district maps can impact how local public schools operate through school board elections. (Adobe Stock)

Watchdog Groups Work to Prevent Gerrymandered New Voting Districts

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Now that 2020 census numbers are in, groups in Wyoming are working to help voters keep an eye on lawmakers as they draw new voting-…

State assembly district maps, including this close-up of Las Vegas, are likely to change once lawmakers incorporate the new 2020 census data. (Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau GIS)

Armed With Census Data, Community Groups Prep for Redistricting

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Community groups are preparing to help lawmakers draw new political maps, based on just-released census numbers. The data shows …

The 2020 census shows that California is now home to more than 39.5 million people, and Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the country, with more than 10 million residents. (Driftwood/Adobestock)

New Census Data Helps CA Communities Prep for Redistricting

LOS ANGELES - New census data shows California is the second most diverse state in the nation, behind Hawaii - and that has big implications for new …

Pennsylvania's Legislative Reapportionment Commission has held public hearings in Harrisburg to gather input on redistricting based on 2020 census results. (Adobe Stock)

PA Groups Call for Public Comment to Be Part of Census Redistricting

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Pennsylvania's population has grown to more than 13 million, according to new census data - and as the mapmaking process gets under …

New Hampshire's overall population has increased by 4.7% since 2010, and that might change the makeup of some of the state's districts. (Enrico Della Pietra/Adobe Stock)

NH Groups: Communities of Interest Key for Redistricting

CONCORD, N.H. - Community groups in New Hampshire are urging lawmakers to take community input into account as they draw new voting district maps…

There are more than 2,000 people incarcerated in the Monroe Correctional Complex, located in a small southeast Washington town. (SounderBruce/Wikimedia Commons)

As Redistricting Begins, New WA Law Ends 'Prison Gerrymandering'

OLYMPIA, Wash. - The recent release of detailed Census data means states can begin drawing up new voting maps. In Washington state, a new law will …

Voting districts, which are being redrawn this year using the 2020 census results, must have nearly equal populations and cannot be discriminatory based on race. (Christian Hinkle/Adobe Stock)

Groups Rally for Bipartisan, Transparent Redistricting Process

INDIANAPOLIS - The long-awaited, detailed demographic census data is set to be released Thursday, and in Indiana, good-government groups are urging …

In 2018, 82% of races for Illinois legislative seats were either uncontested or had challengers whose campaigns were not competitive. (pabrady63/Adobe Stock)

IL Groups: Key to Redistricting is Keeping Communities Together

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The long-awaited, detailed demographic census data is set to be released Thursday, and in Illinois, good-government groups are …

Montana and 14 other states use an independent commission to draw legislative districts. (Natalia Bratslavsky/Adobe Stock)

MT Prepares to Draw Regained House Seat

HELENA, Mont. -- With detailed census data being released this month, the work to draw Montana's new congressional district will begin in earnest …

Based on census data, the 2021 wage gap for Black women compared to non-Hispanic, white men is $0.63 per hour. (Adobe Stock)

Black Women’s Equal Pay Day Spotlights Need for Wage Transparency

DENVER -- Today marks the day Black women in the U.S. will finally earn as much as a white, non-Hispanic man was paid in 2020. Ashley Panelli…

The 2020 Census revealed more than 7 million people call Massachusetts home, so the Commonwealth will still have nine representatives in Congress after redistricting. (iQoncept/Adobe Stock)

Bill Would Give Public Comment Time for New MA Voting District Maps

BOSTON -- Every ten years, after the Census, local municipalities usually draw new precinct boundaries before state lawmakers draw new voting …

In Pennsylvania, if you're in prison in connection to a misdemeanor or parole violation, you are still eligible to vote. (Adobe Stock)

Petition Calls for an End to Prison Gerrymandering in PA

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Pennsylvania should get some 2020 Census data this summer, to be used in the redistricting process. But some groups want the state …

The New Mexico redistricting committee plans to hold a dozen public meetings, including at least two on tribal lands, as 2020 Census data is used to draw new electoral district boundaries. (fairdistricts.org)

NM Redistricting Committee Knocked for Lack of Diversity

SANTA FE, N.M. -- New Mexico is considered one of the 10 most ethnically diverse states, but its new redistricting committee is anything but…

Women make up half of Wyoming's population, but just 18% of the state's legislators. (Charlie Riedel)

Wyoming Legislators to Tackle Election Redistricting

CASPER, Wyo. - Wyoming lawmakers are beginning the process of redrawing boundaries for state legislative districts today, which will determine which …

The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission is made up of four Democrats, four Republicans and five Independents. (Adobe Stock)

Independent MI Redistricting Commission Makes Hearings More Accessible

DEARBORN, Mich. -- The independent commission charged with drawing Michigan's new voting district maps for the next decade is seeking public comments …

According to ACLU Connecticut, 10 states have ended prison gerrymandering. Connecticut could be among them if Senate Bill 753 passes in the General Assembly this session and is signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont. (Adobe Stock)

CT Groups Push for Fair Redistricting; End to Prison Gerrymandering

HARTFORD, Conn. -- The League of Women Voters of Connecticut is working to promote greater awareness about the importance of drawing new legislative …

Only six states will gain seats in the House of Representatives in 2022: Texas, Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina and Oregon. The U.S. Census Bureau announced new apportionment data Monday based on the 2020 U.S. Census. (Bill Oxford/The Brennan Center)

FL Group Works for Fair Process, Greater Awareness in Redistricting

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Reapportionment data announced Monday has sparked conversation about a census undercount, and lower-than-expected Florida …

New census data shows Massachusetts has more than seven million residents, and will keep nine representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives for the next decade. (Siberian Art/Adobe Stock)

Coalition Calls for Citizens, Community Groups' Input on New District Maps

BOSTON -- The first batch of 2020 Census data came out this week, with population counts and an announcement of the number of representatives each …

A bill under consideration by the Texas Legislature would impose harsh criminal penalties for local election officials who provide assistance to voters. (Adobe Stock)

Texas Gains Political Clout While Trying to Restrict Voting

AUSTIN, Texas -- The U.S. Census Bureau announced Monday Texas will gain two additional congressional seats, the most of any state in the nation…

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Public News Service (podcast)"
	"Hey Google, play the Public News Service podcast"
	"Alexa, play Public News Service podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the 2021 Talks podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the 2021 Talks podcast"
	"Alexa, play 2000 21 Talks podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Alexa, play the Yonder Report podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app

PNS Daily Newscast - December 8, 2021

2021Talks - December 8, 2021

The Yonder Report - December 2, 2021

Census