Subcommittee on Redistricting Public Hearing

COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE SUBCOMMITTEE ON REDISTRICTING NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004 CHAIRPERSON ELISSA SILVERMAN SUBCOMMITTEE ON REDISTRICTING ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC HEARING ON B24-0371, the Ward Redistricting Amendment Act of 2021 Friday, November 5, 2021, at noon Virtual HEARING via Zoom 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 Friday, November 5, 2021, at noon. 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. This is the second hearing on B24-0371, the Ward Redistricting Amendment Act of 2021, and the Council is also holding eight ward-level roundtables, one for each ward. The purpose of this hearing is to provide a final opportunity for the public to testify about the redrawing the boundaries of the District’s eight wards and ANCs, before the Council moves to mark-up and votes in mid-November and December. 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 Wednesday, November 3, 2021, by providing their information using the following link: https://forms.gle/QcKmkWYcw6Kdj75L7. 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 Friday, October 22, 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 October 22 may not be fulfilled due to vendor availability. On Thursday, November 4, the Subcommittee will email witnesses who signed up by then, 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 Thursday, November 4, 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 Friday, November 12, 2021. Residents can also find more information about the redistricting process at https://www.elissasilverman.com/redistricting.