Your input is needed to redraw voting districts, and one way you can participate is by assisting Marin's 12 jurisdictions in developing a list of “communities of interest” or “COI” that can be utilized in the process of redrawing district lines.
What is a Community of Interest (COI)?
A Community of Interest is a group of people that: live in a geographically definable area, share common social or economic interests, and should be included within a single district for purposes of effective and fair representation in future elections.
There are some COI that are considered “protected classes” in that they have rights through state or federal civil rights or voting rights laws. Some examples of protected classes in districting would be ethnic and racial minorities such as a concentration of Latinx, Asian, or African American people.
Examples of other potential COI that can also be considered in redistricting: senior citizens, college students, neighborhoods, or even people who share concerns such as parents with young children, bicycle enthusiasts, and topic interest groups.
COI does not include relationships with political parties, incumbents, or political candidates.
Identifying and mapping the location of COI can be done at the jurisdiction's website or submitted. Maps should provide enough information – the streets, highways, or natural features that are the boundaries of the community –to be able to understand where your community of interest is located. They do not require any detail beyond that.
What You Can Do to Participate in the Process
Download and use the “Communities of Interest Testimony” template as a guide to developing your COI submission.
Submit the testimony at the Jurisdiction’s redistricting website.
You can create your own submission to submit at the jurisdiction’s website before the site is available at one of the following:
Do plan to attend one of the jurisdiction's Public Hearings/Community Workshops.
6 Tips for Making Effective Comments at a Redistricting Hearing | Brennan Center for Justice
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/6-tips-making-effective-comments-redistricting-hearing