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How independent map-drawing commissions are transforming redistricting

Frances Nguyen

April 19, 2022 |

Prism |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, California

Many states are trying independent redistricting commissions to take politics out of the process and draw fair maps. The California Citizens Redistricting Commission has a rigorous process to select its 14 members and holds all commission deliberations during public hearings with lots of time for public comment built into the process. The state’s new election maps were unanimously approved and about one third of the new districts are Latino-majority.

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Without the protections of the Voting Rights Act, many look to state solutions

Frances Nguyen

April 18, 2022 |

Prism |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Virginia

Virginia’s VRA protects voters from suppression, discrimination, and intimidation and has effectively stopped racial gerrymandering and intimidation. Its pro-voting measures include requiring materials in multiple languages, the provision of accessibility accommodations, and requiring public review of any local level voting changes. The legislation also creates a pathway for Virginians to bring civil lawsuits if a procedure negatively impacts economically disadvantaged communities or communities of color.

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Could the highly political redistricting process be more independent? San Antonio may find out

Megan Stringer

April 17, 2022 |

San Antonio Express-News |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Diego, California

San Diego’s independent redistricting commission has aimed to take politics out of drawing district maps since 1992 by preventing City Council from drawing or approving its own map. Instead, nine commissioners from over 100 applicants were chosen based on background and qualifications by three randomly selected retired judges. The member selection process, rules for transparency, open public engagement and no tolerance for conflicts of interest are keys to its success. There is more equitable infrastructure investment and greater voter turnout now, which are two positive signs of reduced gerrymandering.

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Shiny new ballots: Record number of states eyeing ranked-choice voting

Amanda Pampuro

March 25, 2022 |

Courthouse News Service |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Alaska

More states and cities are adopting ranked-choice voting system, which are said to be friendlier and more inclusive. In a ranked-choice system, voters rank multiple candidates in order of preference and a winner must get over 50% of the votes. This often occurs by being a voter’s second choice, so many argue there is less political vitriol since, rather than ignoring voters committed to other candidates, politicians must appeal to them as at least their second choice. Data in the six California cities that use the system show slight increases in the number of women and people of color running for office.

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Democracy Comes to Michigan

David Byrne

March 21, 2022 |

Reasons to be Cheerful |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Michigan

A grassroots campaign ended gerrymandering in Michigan by passing an initiative requiring districts be drawn by citizen-commissions rather than politicians. The all-volunteer campaign went door-to-door collecting enough signatures to get the initiative on the ballot and used creative voter-engagement techniques to sustain the support. Once the ballot initiative passed, 9,300 people applied for the first commission. A third-party firm ultimately selected four Democrats, four Republicans, and five non-partisan people as commissioners, who worked together very well to redraw districts.

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The secret sauce behind Wichita's success in distributing emergency housing vouchers

Celia Hack

March 18, 2022 |

The Wichita Beacon |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Wichita, Kansas

A federal voucher program is seeing huge success in Wichita, Kansas with almost 70 percent usage rates. Coordination between nonprofits and the housing program are required for the success of the initiative, something that the city had in place prior to the program. Wichita also had a supply of affordable housing available for people experiencing housing instability. A lack of housing stock has been a huge barrier in the success of the federal program in other part of the country.

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Want to rebuild soil? Build relationships

Emily Stifler Wolfe

March 17, 2022 |

Montana Free Press |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Judith Basin, Montana

Regenerative agriculture is one of the top ways the Biden administration aims to reduce atmospheric carbon. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and individual farmers’ work on regenerative agriculture have implications for the future of food production in regards to global supply chain disruptions and combatting climate change.

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Pandemic Disruptions Created an Opportunity for Organic School Meals in California

Lisa Held

February 28, 2022 |

Civil Eats |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, California

The West Contra Costa Unified School District saw loosened regulations during the pandemic as an opportunity to tie up with local organic farms and producers and ensure hundred percent organic meals to students from low-income families. This is part of a growing effort in the state that recognizes school lunch as a way to not just provide the healthiest food to students but also to support a more sustainable food system that helps address climate change.

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Asher Craig: 'We are walking our talk' in Bristol's experiment in democracy

Betty Woolerton

January 19, 2022 |

Bristol 24/7 |

Multi-Media |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United Kingdom, Bristol

A year after Bristol convened a randomly selected 60-person citizens’ assembly, which brought together a representative and diverse group of residents to tackle complex issues facing the city, they have delivered a set of recommendations. The panel produced 17 recommendations, with a total of 82 associated actions on three topics: climate, transport and health. Fourteen recommendations have been fully agreed to and eight have been dismissed. Participants also report positive effects of being able to work together across diverse ideologies and experiences, as well as from the civic participation more broadly.

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Burning Sugar Cane Pollutes Communities of Color in Florida. Brazil Shows There's Another Way.

Nadia Sussman

December 29, 2021 |

ProPublica |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Brazil

In Brazil, the world's largest producer of sugar cane, industry leaders have found a way to harvest the crop without sugar cane burning. Sugar cane burning is harmful to the environment and nearby residents. After complaints and regulations, producers invested in technology that allows them to cut the cane without burning it. This is a contrast to South Florida, despite producing less sugar cane than Brazil, producers in the state continue the practice.

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