The ACLU is part of the Drawing Democracy Coalition, which is working toward a transparent redistricting process in Massachusetts. Redistricting is the process of redrawing electoral district boundaries. It is meant to ensure that every person has fair political representation for the next 10 years. Next Tuesday June 8 at 12-5pm, the Special Joint Committee on Redistricting will hold a virtual hearing for residents of Congressional District 8 (CD8).

How district lines are drawn influences who runs for public office and who is elected. Elected representatives make decisions on issues that are important to our lives, [include issues that affect the organizer's work such as schools, immigration, policing, etc.]. I know that you and your colleagues/members/etc. have been working really hard on these issues.

We are advocating for a transparent redistricting process that equitably represents BIPOC (Black, indigenous, people of color) communities, low-income people and immigrants in Massachusetts. 10 years ago, the community-based redistricting process created the first majority BIPOC Congressional District which Ayanna Pressley now represents.

We can create more opportunities for people who reflect Massachusetts demographics to represent our needs. The state legislature is holding hearings to get input from community members on this process. We would love to include you and your members in this hearing to get involved and testify. We understand that redistricting may be a new topic for residents so we created this toolkit with redistricting resources, testimony template, talking points, and more. Thank you and let me know if you have any questions.

Take Action

Testify virtually and provide live testimony during the hearing. Use the Sign Up Form.

To submit written testimony, use the Contact the Committee form on the Special Joint Committee on Redistricting website.

Attend the hearing through the livestream on the Legislative Website.

Questions and Resources

Check out the sections below for a testimony template and talking points; Drawing Democracy Coalition’s instructions and suggested talking points.

Contact Tanekwah Hinds (thinds@aclum.org), the Racial Justice Community Advocate at the ACLU of MA, for questions on how to give testimony and redistricting advocacy.

For questions on the logistics of the hearing, contact committee staff with any questions at (617) 722-2014. Please be advised that the schedule and agenda are subject to change at the discretion of the Chairs.

Rahsaan D. Hall
Pronouns: he/him (why I share my pronouns)
Director, Racial Justice Program
American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts
211 Congress St. Boston, MA 02110
617.482.3170 ext 394 | rhall@aclum.org

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