Redistricting.  Reapportionment.  Ultimately, it’s the process of determining which citizens reside in which districts for election purposes. By whatever name, it is a critical process. Congressional districts and State Board of Education districts must be done this year in order to be ready for next year’s elections.  All Congressional positions and some Board positions are up for election in 2012.  And the Alabama Legislature has primary responsibility for redistricting these bodies.

A lot more is involved than just the Alabama Legislature enacting redistricting plans.  They must also be pre-cleared by the U.S. Justice Department as required by the 1965 Voting Rights Act.  And then there is the likelihood of lawsuits.  In order to cross all these bridges in time for the elections, we have to act now.

The redistricting/reapportionment process is crucial.  It determines whether there will be fair representation on so many levels.  It likely determines who will win and who will lose certain elections.  It likely determines the fortunes of political parties in Congress, the State Board, the Alabama Legislature, County Boards of Education, County Commissions and Municipalities.  It also will determine whether minorities are fairly represented as required by the Voting Rights Act.

The public’s focus is on the Alabama Legislature because it is now redistricting 15 districts (7 Congressional and 8 State School Boards) and will redistrict 140 legislative districts next year (35 Senate and 105 House).  However, thousands of districts on county School Boards, County Commissions, and Municipalities will also touch us one way or the other.  We sometimes overlook the many for the high profile few.

The districts our decision makers construct will determine how much our vote counts – and if our vote counts less, more or the same as others.  If we are not able to join with others who have similar values and interests, we cannot elect those we want to represent us reducing the worth of our votes.  On the other hand, if we are able to join with like minded citizens and elect like minded officials, our votes count a whole lot more.  Otherwise our vote is equal only in numbers.  Redistricting can determine whether our votes really count in certain elections or whether we just go through the motion as we vote.