City Of Fort Worth: Next Software Training For Redistricting Maps: Saturday, Aug. 21

Press release from City of Fort Worth:

August 20, 2021

The next opportunity for residents to experiment with redrawing Fort Worth’s council district boundaries will take place 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 21, at Lighthouse Fellowship, 7200 Robertson Road.

Free training sessions are part of a years-long effort that will result in the City Council being reconfigured from nine to 11 members. The latest census data is being updated in the software, and more training and collaboration sessions are being planned for late September through mid-November. Check online for meeting information.

An important feature of the redistricting process is the opportunity for interested residents to use a software program to prepare their own proposed district maps in accordance with the City Council’s adopted criteria. Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop computer. Staff will also have a limited number of computers available for use during the training. Submit questions about the training and redistricting. 

In addition to the training sessions, redistricting information will be available online and at a series of town hall meetings planned by city councilmembers in the coming weeks.

During this period, residents may also register communities of interest for redistricting purposes.

In 2016, Fort Worth voters approved an amendment to the City Charter to increase the number of City Council members from nine to 11 following the completion of the 2020 Census. The Task Force on Race and Culture in December 2018 recommended the goal of ensuring that the City Council reflects the diverse communities that it represents.

In March 2021, the Redistricting Task Force presented 10 criteria for redistricting. The task force also suggested that software training be provided to residents who are interested in the redistricting process, and that proposed redistricting plans submitted by residents be analyzed and presented to the City Council.

The group urged transparency in the redistricting process by requiring all map drawing to occur at public meetings, with computer screens visible to all parties.

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This press release was produced by City of Fort Worth. The views expressed here are the author’s own.