Subcommittee on Redistricting Public Hearing

COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE SUBCOMMITTEE ON REDISTRICTING NOTICE OF PUBLIC ROUNDTABLE 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004 REVISED/ABBREVIATED CHAIRPERSON ELISSA SILVERMAN SUBCOMMITTEE ON REDISTRICTING ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC HEARING ON B24-0371, the Ward Redistricting Amendment Act of 2021 Wednesday, September 29, 2021, 11 a.m. Virtual HEARING via Zoom Broadcast on Channel 13 and Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/CMElissaSilverman Councilmember Elissa Silverman, Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole’s Subcommittee on Redistricting, announces a public hearing to consider Bill 24-0371, the Ward Redistricting Amendment Act of 2021. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at 11 a.m. Every ten years, the District uses the data from the decennial Census to reapportion the wards and Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs). This cycle, the Census is not expected to release the official data necessary for redistricting until September of 2021. Under existing District law, the Council has 90 days after receiving the Census data to reapportion the eight wards, so that each has approximately the same population. Once the new ward boundaries have been approved in December, the Council will begin reapportioning the Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, likely for May or June 2022. The purpose of the hearing is to provide an opportunity for the public to testify about the redrawing the boundaries of the District’s eight wards and ANCs. B24-0371, the Ward Redistricting Amendment Act of 2021, is the legislation required to begin the redistricting process. This bill is technically a placeholder that allows the legislative process to begin. It does not change the current boundaries in any way. After receipt and review of the final census data and multiple hearings for public input, the legislation will be amended to reflect recommended boundary changes through the regular legislative process. Witnesses may use their phone or computer to participate in this virtual hearing. Those who wish to testify must sign up no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 27th, 2021, by providing their information using the following link: https://forms.gle/vg2gfB2N2UbtCJGc9. Witnesses must provide their name, email address, telephone number, organizational affiliation (if any), and job title (if any), as well whether they require language interpretation or sign language interpretation. Witnesses who require language interpretation or sign language interpretation are requested to email the Subcommittee at redistricting@dccouncil.us as soon as possible, but no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 20, 2021, stating their need for interpretation and requested language. The Council’s Office of the Secretary will fulfill timely requests for language interpretation services; however, requests received later than September 20 may not be fulfilled due to vendor availability. On Tuesday, September 28, the Subcommittee will email witnesses who signed up by September 27, in order to provide them with details about how to participate in the hearing via the Zoom platform. Those planning to testify are encouraged to submit an electronic copy of written testimony by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 28, so that staff may distribute testimonies to Committee members and staff before the hearing. If anyone is unable to testify at the hearing, written statements will be made a part of the official record. Written statements should be submitted by email to redistricting@dccouncil.us. Additionally, the public may provide testimony by voice mail by calling (202) 350-1521, stating and spelling the witness’s name, stating any organizational affiliation, and speaking slowly to provide a statement to be transcribed and included in the record. The record will close at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 14, 2021. Residents can also find more information about the redistricting process at https://www.elissasilverman.com/redistricting. This hearing notice has been revised to change the start time of the hearing from 10am to 11am.