Episode 32767: Open Democracy Minute for November 1, 2021: Map-a-Thon releases NH House Maps; Upcoming Redistricting Hearings

You're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people. This past weekend, the Map-a-Thon Coaltion, a group of over 250 NH voters who have been working since May, released their NH House voting district maps for review by the public.  The group had previously released maps for the NH Executive Council, NH Senate and U.S. Congress.   The maps can be found at OpenDemocracyNH.org. Also in NH redistricting this week are two days of House Special Committee on Redistricting work sessions on Wednesday and Thursday 10-1, where committee members are submitting maps for discussion.   Behind the scenes, though, both Republican party and Democratic party operatives have been busy creating maps for their party to submit.   Don’t be surprised if there is a last minute submission, trying to fly past public scrutiny, as happened during the process in 2011, when the public had 24 hours of review before the vote occurred. Then, apparently, there are two public hearings in Concord on either November 8th & 9th, or 9th & 10th, to review the maps on which the committee will vote. Eight days before the hearing, there is no confirmation of this.  And, appallingly, these maps will only be on paper, not in electronic form, making it harder for the public to see.   The final steps are executive sessions on November 16 & 17, when the committee makes its final  amendments and votes.  Because the committee has been less than forthright with its information, vigilance is required. As Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it's something we DO.”  For the Open Democracy Minute, I'm Brian Beihl.