New Redistricting Maps Are Out.  Let Legislators Know What You Think

The newly drawn districts for US Congressional and Indiana State House of Representatives have been released. Check them out!  https://www.indianahouserepublicans.com/

The maps are in PDF format, so it’s difficult to analyze until they are available with detailed demographics.  But just a glance at them shows significant changes.  Brown County was in Indiana State House District 65.  Now it looks Brown County will be in House District 62.  We are still in Congressional District 9, but this time it looks a lot more like it did after the 2000 census than the current district done after the 2010 census.  

What’s the Rush?

The House Elections Committee scheduled public hearings for September 15 and 16, during the day, in Indianapolis, right after maps were released on September 14.  What’s the rush?  Why not let the public have a look at the maps?  Senate maps are not yet available, but they plan to allow six days before the Indiana Senate Committee on Elections will host a public meeting to gather feedback on the maps.  Meeting time will be posted at https://www.iga.in.gov.

What do you think?  Let your legislators hear from you….

Please be sure to contact your legislators to let them know what you think.  Here are some of the requests Brown County League of Women Voters has for our legislators:

-- Will you share the criteria used to create these maps?  Hundreds of people attended public hearings requesting transparency on how the maps were developed.  

-- Allow the public adequate time to review the maps so meaningful feedback can be given to determine if communities are fairly represented or if they are split up to give more power to some voters than others.

-- Hold more hearings and provide times that allow working people to attend and that enable people outside of Indianapolis to participate.

What principles and standards were used to draw the maps?

What role did the outside consultants play in drawing Indiana’s new maps?

Maps Still Favor One Party Over the Other

FiveThirtyEightprovides statistical analysis of many things, and they have already analyzed Indiana’s new US Congressional districts.  The analysis shows the new proposed maps were drawn to advantage one party over the other rather than provide fair representation that reflects the political make-up of the state.  Indiana voters tend to be about 60% Republican and 40% Democrat, yet the Congressional Districts are about 78% Republican and 22% Democratic resulting in 2 Democratic Congressional Districts and 7 Republican Congressional Districts.  See detail here:https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/redistricting-2022-maps/indiana/republican_proposal/

Hoosiers Deserve a Redistricting Process That Puts the Public Interest First

Call or email your legislators so they know you would like fair maps.

• Senator Eric Koch: 800-382-9467 or 317-232-9400 Senator.Koch@iga.in.gov

  Representative Chris May: 317-232-9981 h65@iga.in.gov

  Senator Rodric Bray: 317-232-9400 Senator.Bray@iga.in.gov

  Representative Todd Huston: 317-232-9677 h37@iga.in.gov

  Representative Timothy Wesco: 317-232-9753 h21@iga.in.gov

  Senator Jon Ford: 800-382-9467 s38@iga.in.gov

  Governor Eric Holcomb: 317-232-4567 http://www.in.gov/gov/2752.htm  then select “To contact the governor with questions or comments unrelated to the above, click here.”

  
  

Recent Redistricting Developments: A Podcast Interview

Source: LWVB-MC September Newsletter and LWVB-MC Co-President Ann Birch

“Redistricting has been in the news because the U.S. Census data was released recently. In this Civics Conversation, Jim Allison talked with Julia Vaughn of Common Cause and Sonia Leerkamp of the Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission. They discussed developments with the Indiana public hearings, legislative forums on redistricting, map drawing projects, and the recent study released by Women 4 Change that showed Indiana is one of the most gerrymandered states in the nation. 

“The direct link to the podcasts page is at https://lwv-bmc.org/podcasts.” 

Essay Contest Winners Honored During August 24 Member Meeting

The Brown County Public Library served as the venue for our local League’s general member meeting, which was held the evening of August 24. Our first order of business that evening was to welcome and congratulate four of the winners of our inaugural Essay Contest who provided excellent compositions in response to the prompt “Do current districts and the redistricting process in Indiana reflect democratic principles?  Why or why not?” The winners in the grade 7-8 category were:

• Sophie Mathis, first place winner 
• Adahlaid Gredy, second place winner (tie) 
• Taylor Lucas, second place winner (tie) 
• Owen East, third place winner 

The first-place winner in the 9-12 grade category, Simone Smith, was unable to attend the League meeting, but the audience gave her a round of applause for her participation and achievement.

So many individuals played important roles ensuring success of the Essay Contest. During the meeting the League thanked former BCHS principal Matt Stark, incoming BCHS principal Trent Austin, and BCJHS principal Brian Garman for their support of the Essay Contest. Michael Potts and Emily Lewellen, junior high and high school history teachers, respectively, were also called out for their advice and their work with students participating in the essay contest. The League also thanked the members of the Brown County Retired Teachers Association who did the important work of judging each of the 19 submitted essays.

The LWVBC is already planning for the 2022 League Essay Contest. Discussions are underway to conduct the contest during the second trimester of the school year: November 8, 2021, to February 21, 2022. A committee is forming to plan and implement the next Essay Contest. If any League members are interested in participating on the Committee, please contact Shari Frank at browncountylwv@gmail.org.

Redistricting Discussion at August 24 Member Meeting

LWVBC President Shari Frank, along with Sunny Leerkamp, League Co-Vice President and Chair of the Indiana Citizens Redistricting Coalition (ICRC), led attendees on a presentation and discussion of redistricting in Indiana at the League’s in-person member meeting on August 24.

Attendees viewed a PowerPoint presentation on redistricting as well as a short video about Thomas Hofeller, who for many years worked to draw district maps favoring one political party in many states across the country.

Sunny Leerkamp provided updates on the Indiana Redistricting Commission (ICRC) work. 

To view the redistricting presentation, you may watch on your own or invite LWVBC to make a presentation to your group:https://vimeo.com/558293921

More About Redistricting: Resource List on Fair Maps

Organization Websites

ALL IN for Democracy: https://www.allinfordemocracy.org

Common Cause Indiana: https://www.commoncause.org/indiana/

League of Women Voters of Brown County: http://www.lwvbrowncounty.org

League of Women Voters of Indiana: https://www.lwvin.org/ and https://www.lwvin.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=42001&module_id=452896

Information Websites

Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/Redistricting_Policy

Brennan Center for Justice: https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/why-redistricting-matters

ICRC Report: https://tinyurl.com/6xsyktvn

Districtr (a mapping tool): https://districtr.org/indiana

Redistricting Videos

How Maps Help Politicians Stay in Power: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=1s6erd5MbEY&feature=youtu.be

Is Geometry Silencing Your Vote?: https://www.youtube.com/watch/ieB3ukWB3tQ

The Man Who Rigged America’s Electoral Maps: https://tinyurl.com/sb87f9ak

Working for Fair Maps in Indiana: https://vimeo.com/558293921

Redistricting Articles and Reports

Commentary: Indiana Can Have Fair Maps: http://thestatehousefile.com

Legislators share more specifics on the redistricting process ahead, but questions remain: http://thestatehousefile.com

REDMAP Documents: https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:d2d3a23b-98cf-4d90-8a38-

Redrawing the Lines: https://tinyurl.com/yyjhfmu2

The Princeton Project: https://gerrymander.princeton.edu

Getting to Know League Members: Maddison Miller

Were you a League member elsewhere before settling in Brown County?  No, I was not. However, I was an active alumna of the Indiana Leadership Forum when I lived in Marion County while also serving on many nonprofit boards and committees. 

What are your hobbies and other community interests?

I love watching foreign films, attending concerts, hosting parties, gardening, traveling to our great National Parks, restoring my 1968 VW Karmann Ghia, and being a new mother.  I am a proud Rotarian where I serve as the Youth Services Committee Chair. I sit on the board and serve as Treasurer of the Brown County Chamber of Commerce. I serve on the board of the South Central Community Action Program as well as on the board for the Youth Enhancement and Training Initiative. I also serve on the Public Policy Committee for the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance. 

What is your career?  I started my career in government and politics in 2008 as a Legislative Intern in the Indiana Senate, working for two of the most senior and experienced members of the majority caucus. Over the next ten sessions I worked up to Clerk, to Legislative Assistant, to Legislative Lobbyist, to Executive Branch Lobbyist, all while finishing my undergraduate and graduate degrees, interspersed with working on various local, district, and statewide political campaigns.

In my previous life managing a 501(c)(6), my efforts analyzing, developing, and implementing pro-business, pro-consumer policies prevented millions in taxes and fees to consumer bills. 

In my more recent work with SAS, my focus turned to the implementation of advanced analytics projects to transform and modernize state operations which benefit Hoosier communities. Because helping people is my passion, I relished the opportunity to use data in meaningful ways to solve humanitarian issues around poverty, health, human rights, education, and the environment. My current position with the Brown County Community Foundation has allowed me to extend this spirit of giving to my professional life in new and exciting ways, managing a $16m endowment which allows our organization to grant over $1m to Brown County every year. 

What do you feel is the most important issue for the local League to work on?The LWV's work strengthening democratic values through increased voter education is imperative in the age of widespread disinformation. These days, propaganda and conspiracy theories run rampant. The LWV is a trusted local information source which helps hold our leaders accountable through transparency efforts and citizen engagement. 

What do you feel is the most pressing issue for Brown County?Political supermajorities where policies advance unchecked, and priorities don't align with what voters want are a serious threat to our community. Our government works best when we have moderation and serious debate about the issues.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself or a short funny story about living in Brown County.

I am originally from Stroud Oklahoma and grew up watching my mother's family ranch the land they acquired as Irish immigrants during a land run in the late 1800s. Growing up in a small town (population 2,700) all those years ago not only prepared me but made me long for a quaint community like Nashville.

Recent Study: Compelling Data That Vaccines Keep Us Safe

The CDC data shows people who were unvaccinated were 10 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19, and 11 times more likely to die from it. Read the full reporthere:https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7037e1.htm?s_cid=mm7037e1_w  

Fully vaccinated people should still wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission – and Brown County is rated a high transmission area https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view|Indiana|18013|Risk|community_transmission_level .   

COVID-19 Vaccine Indiana:If you are age 12 or older, you can get a vaccine. https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/vaccine/index.htm

Flu Season is Coming:Don't forget to get your flu vaccine this season. Vaccinating against different diseases at the same time is not new. COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines may be administered on the same day:https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/files/21_COVID%20vaccine%20update%209-15.pdf       

Additional Resources:  

• Call 2-1-1 to schedule vaccines or testing. For more information, go tohttps://www.coronavirus.in.gov/vaccine/

   

• Brown County COAD Hotline for food, medicine, transportation:  812-988-0001 https://www.facebook.com/BrownCountyCOAD/

   

• Myths and facts:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html

This is a Bloomington community event held every first and third Sunday of the month, from 11 am to 3 pm, that lifts up Black and Brown artists and businesses and promotes a self-sustainability network for health and food. On September 19, Participants will include NAACP, LWV-BMC, NOW, and more. Gracia Valliant will be the Bloomington-Monroe Co. League’s speaker at the event. Shruti Rana will be the NOW speaker.

National Voter Registration Day: LWVBC at the Nashville Farmers Market Sunday 9/19, 11am-2 pm

Always check your voter registration one month before an election

National Voter Registration Day this year is September 28.  Indiana requires voters to register nearly ONE MONTH before an election!  We don’t have any scheduled elections this year, but it’s a good time to Check your Voter Registration.  

Visit the LWVBC at the Farmers Market on Sunday, September 19, or go online to www.IndianaVoters.com and check your voter registration status.

The Brown County Librarywill offer “curb side” voter registration the week of September 27.  If you’ve just turned 18, moved, changed your name, or changed your PO box, be sure to update your voter registration. 

How to Spot Disinformation Online

Source: League of Women Voters: https://www.lwv.org/blog/your-guide-mis-and-disinformation

Mis- and dis-information are two of the most insidious tools used to undermine our democracy and the value of every person’s voice. Learn how to recognize them and stop them in their tracks. 

What Are Mis- And Disinformation? 

Misinformation: inadvertently sharing false information without the intent to harm 

Example: Your sister says that the latest local bill will raise taxes because that’s what she heard from a trusted friend. 

Disinformation: intentionally sharing false information with the intent to harm 

Example: Your sister lies that the latest local bill will raises taxes because she knows that’s the only way you won’t support it. 

While disinformation may seem like the worse of the two, it’s frighteningly easy to spread misinformation. Remember the game ‘telephone’ and how it shows that our messages get distorted over time? Every day, we play telephone in our face-to-face conversations, over social media, and more, with important political information. 

How Can You Spot Mis- And Disinformation? 

We’re all susceptible to mis- and disinformation, but the following steps will help you spot it before you take part in its spread: 

1. Research the source: Who’s sharing this information? If it’s online, does the website sound familiar or have any political affiliations? If it’s in-person, is this individual a frequent exaggerator, or do they have a job/experience that would give them insider info? 

2. Check the date: It’s easy to get incensed over an article on Twitter...only to realize it was published years ago and no longer applies. 

3. Cross-check: Are reliable news sources reporting the same information? If not, it’s unlikely that your smaller source just happened to get a super-exclusive, juicy scoop.  

4. Read past the headline: You know how tabloids post scandalous headlines and follow them with articles that are relatively mundane? Unfortunately, political outlets do that too. It’s easy to take a snippet out of context to make an article look like it will be more dramatic than it actually is. 

5. Question emotionally charged content: Is the person or outlet sharing this information using emotionally manipulative language to get you upset or excited? That’s a red flag. Reliable sources let the facts fuel your response, not emotional language. Check out someexamples of loaded language. 

How To Stop Mis- And Disinformation 

Once you’ve spotted inaccurate information, follow these tips to keep it from spreading (and get it removed): 

1. Don’t engage: It may be tempting to comment on an inaccurate Facebook post about how wrong it is, or to click on it to read all of the writer’s claims, but don’t! Every like, click, share, and comment contributes to the piece’s rate of engagement, which tells whatever website you’re on that it’s good content that they should show to more people. Many outlets take advantage of this, posting headlines that they know will have you firing back a response – because good or bad, that response will promote their piece. 

2. Share correct information: For every incorrect piece of information you see or hear, try to share one that’s correct. Instead of creating further discourse around something you don’t want people to hear, get people talking about what you do want them to hear. 

3.  Report when needed: Whenever you see disinformation online, report it toReportDisinfo.org. You can also report most social media posts to the platforms themselves. 

BC Library Collecting Dental Products for Afghan Refugees at Camp Atterbury

Submitted by LWVBC President Shari Frank

The Brown County Library is collecting donations of new, unused toothbrushes and toothpaste for Afghan refugees at Camp Atterbury. Want to donate? Look for the big donation box at the upper entrance and help provide a little comfort to those in need.

Updates from LWVUS

The LWVUS website is https://www.lwv.org

“The League stands ready to make our voices heard and keep up the pressure on Congress and the White House to make federal voting rights legislation priority number one when the Senate returns from recess.

“On Aug. 28, there was a large voting rights march in DC, ‘March on for Voting Rights,’ along with several sister marches around the country. Members from the national LWV joined the march in DC. 

“Also on Aug. 28 in DC, our partners at Black Voters Matter hosted a ‘Good Trouble Rally’ at the Lincoln Memorial to raise awareness for issues that matter to the Black community, including voting rights. Virginia Kase Solomón and Deborah Ann Turner of the League spoke at the rally that morning. 

“This work is not for the faint of heart, and we must not be dismayed. PIease remember the LWVUS Board is also here to serve you, and you can reach out to your state liaison with questions and concerns about all League matters. We appreciate your dedication to our mission. 

“Even when we don’t see immediate results, you are moving the dial.”