Critical Redistricting News

Important message from

Patrick L Firth

Chair, Talbot County Democratic Party

The Legislative Redistricting Advisory Commission is holding its only Eastern Shore hearing

THIS UPCOMING MONDAY

on October 18 at 6:00pm.

Citizens Redistricting A Better Maryland (CRAB MD) has put together maps for us all to submit to the Commission and has also prepared a presentation to explain these maps, as well as talking points

This Sunday, October 17 at 7pm.

You must register in advance to attend this briefer on Zoom.

With the only hearing occurring on the Shore at Chesapeake College (link to Google Maps), Western Shore

leadership has essentially kneecapped participation and involvement from Lower and Upper Shore Marylanders.

It is critical Mid Shore (Talbot, Caroline, Queen Anne’s, Dorchester, and anyone else who can make the drive) to attend this hearing in person.

If you cannot make the hearing in person, there is an option to view the hearing virtually. Testimony for those who cannot attend in person can be submitted via email.

Take action now.

1. Create a Maryland General Assembly Account. Even if you do

not want to testify at length, we are pleading with you: just stand up and say you support the maps and priorities articulated by your fellow Eastern Shore colleagues.

2. Read Policies for Attendance and Testimony

3. Starting Friday, October 15 at 10am, sign-up to give testimony through your MD General Assembly Account. You can also submit testimony via email.

4. Please attend the training for best practices and messaging for testimony CRAB MD is inviting you to a workshop on Sunday night at 7pm.

5. Show up on Monday night and bring friends! Not everyone has to testify. A large crowd will make a big impression.

6. If you cannot be there in person on Monday night, there will be a streaming or live option available through the Maryland General Assembly website, but that is not open for you to sign up for until Monday morning if it is made available. (It is unclear from the instructions how the General Assembly is doing virtual sign-ups so we must be flexible.) If virtual testimony is not made available, you can still watch the hearing when it begins. To view the live stream you may go to the Maryland General Assembly YouTube Channel.

I am not sure if this link will work, but you may copy and paste it into your browser.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC98TvUSKpiFdVg8fkvrVMGA

One hundred people in the room will send an overwhelming message to the Legislative Redistricting Commission. WE CAN DO THIS IF YOU SHARE THIS EMAIL WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND ANY OTHER POLITICALLY MINDED GROUP OF WHICH YOU ARE A MEMBER.

Thank you for all you do. Making your voice heard is integral to our democracy.

Patrick L Firth

Chair, Talbot County Democratic Party