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IG Oversight Needs Transparent and Citizen-involved Approach
Indivisible Towson, a progressive grassroots, non-partisan organization with members from throughout Baltimore County, has urged County Executive John Olszewski, Jr. to expand his list of OIG work group members to include new, thoughtful voices. Their message to the County Executive follows. Thank you, County Executive Olszewski, for withdrawing the proposed bill intended to, among other things, establish an Office of the Inspector General Oversight Board … Continue reading IG Oversight Needs Transparent and Citizen-involved Approach
What Are Fair Maps? And Why People Care.
By Baltimore County Coalition for Fair Maps. The results of the 2020 census justify two Majority-Black districts and one Majority-Minority district for Baltimore County in 2021. In 2000, the County’s minority population was 200,402: 26.6% Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). It was only after pressure from ACLU and NAACP that a majority-Black District – the 4th – was drawn. That was back in … Continue reading What Are Fair Maps? And Why People Care.
Redistricting: Towson, oh Towson, where are you?
By Rose Deane Kinder. I am a long-time resident of Towson, and I come here tonight to speak in strong opposition to the Council district plan as produced by the Commission. There are many here tonight to address the racial inequities of the proposed plan. I agree with them that our new council districts should have at least 2 black majority districts. Further, I am … Continue reading Redistricting: Towson, oh Towson, where are you?
ACLU MD to County Council: Create a 2nd Majority Black District
By Justin Nalley. I am the Policy Analyst at the ACLU Maryland. This is my first time in front of this body, and I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you today. The ACLU MD opposes the recommendations put forth by the redistricting commission and respectfully urges you to reject the commission’s plan. Baltimore County has experienced tremendous diverse growth over the last 10 years, … Continue reading ACLU MD to County Council: Create a 2nd Majority Black District
Green Towson Alliance Opposes Proposed Redistricting Map
By Elizabeth Miller. The Green Towson Alliance opposes the October 6, 2021 map proposed by the Baltimore County redistricting Commission for two reasons: 1) the map fails to unite greater Towson into a single district and 2) the map as drawn does not conform to the Voting Rights Act due to unlawful minority vote dilution. GTA wrote to the commission requesting that greater Towson be … Continue reading Green Towson Alliance Opposes Proposed Redistricting Map
Don’t Be Texas: Reject the Current Proposed Map
By Sheldon Laskin. According to the latest U.S. census, 39.8% of the population in Texas is white, 39.3% is Hispanic, 11.8% is Black, and 5.4% is Asian. In the initial redistricting map for the Texas House prepared by Texas lawmakers during the current special legislative session, most eligible voters in 59.3% of the districts are white, in 20% are Hispanic and in 2.7% are Black. No … Continue reading Don’t Be Texas: Reject the Current Proposed Map
League of Women Voters Calls for New Redistricting Map
By Ericka McDonald and Tana R. Hamilton. The League of Women Voters of Baltimore County calls for the creation of a new map that fully considers the rights of people of color and the requirements of the Voting Rights Act. We believe that the current plan unlawfully dilutes the votes of minority residents. Because of the long history of racial inequality in representation in Baltimore … Continue reading League of Women Voters Calls for New Redistricting Map
Crabs Don’t Vote: Proposed District 5 “Pinched” in the Middle
By Fergal Mullaly. If you look at the map submitted by the commission, you should immediately notice something… The inlets, bays, and peninsulae that make our county shoreline such a beautiful place have all disappeared, replaced by a smooth border. The maps extend beyond the coastline and into the bay. And while perhaps the official boundaries of the county extend into the water, crabs don’t … Continue reading Crabs Don’t Vote: Proposed District 5 “Pinched” in the Middle
County must reject pro-incumbent, anti-voter map
By Sonia Shah. Over the past decades, Baltimore county has steadily diversified. In 1980, we were 10 percent black; in 2000, we were 20 percent black. Today we are 30 percent black. Forty-seven percent–nearly half of us–are non-white. Our diversity is a strength that benefits all of us in the county. And thanks to the Voting Rights Act, by law it must be reflected in … Continue reading County must reject pro-incumbent, anti-voter map
Baltimore County deserves fair maps
By Danny Golombek. Whether we’re digging a neighbor out of the snow, coaching in a Rec Council sports league, or baking for a PTA fundraiser, nobody knows our communities better than the people who live in them. Whatever our color, background or zip code, in America we value our freedom. The freedom to have a say in decisions that impact our lives—from increasing green spaces … Continue reading Baltimore County deserves fair maps
Fair maps a must for better representation in Baltimore County
By Peta Richkus. Ignoring the will of the people is not responsive nor accountable government. The map proposed by the Council’s Redistricting Commission flies in the face of the Constitutional right of every individual to representative government. It intentionally dilutes representation of the approximately 47% of Baltimore County’s BIPOC population. The Council should not so easily dismiss the threat (and the cost!) of legal action … Continue reading Fair maps a must for better representation in Baltimore County
Forward Baltimore 