Gallagher holds press conference alongside local leaders to discuss his bill to keep communities together during redistricting

Congressman James Gallagher yesterday held a press conference with four local North State leaders to discuss the Representation Act, legislation that protects communities and neighborhoods from being unnecessarily divided during congressional redistricting.

The press conference included remarks from the following North State leaders Steve Crowder, Mayor of Paradise; Richard Molin, Attorney at Stewart Humpherys & Molin; Seth Watts, Outdoor Conservationist and Chico Resident; and Ryan Bentz, Glenn County Superintendent of Schools.

Crowder echoed Gallagher’s sentiment that redistricting is not a Republican or Democrat issue — it is instead an American issue concerning fair representation.

“There’s common sense in keeping communities with shared interest and similar circumstances together,” Crowder said. “When communities have common needs, they should have a common voice in government. We should not be redrawing districts simply to protect careers or preserve someone’s position. I encourage everyone to stand behind Congressman Gallagher’s Representation Act, and support an approach to representation that puts people, communities, and effective government ahead of political convenience.”

The Representation Act would require states to document communities of interest, protecting them from unnecessary division and enforcing transparency. Ultimately, the bill strengthens representation, improves public trust, and aligns redistricting practices with how Americans actually live and identify.

“Congressman Gallagher understands the North State,” said Ryan Bentz, Glenn County Superintendent of Schools. “He knows our schools, industries, and communities. And when decisions are being made in Washington it matters to have someone who understands what those decisions actually mean for the people who live here. The Representation Act recognizes that communities are more than boundaries on a map. They are built around our schools, our resources, our schools, and our relationships. Whatever the process is of drawing congressional districts is, connections deserve to be considered. And rural communities deserve to have a voice.”

Highlights from the press conference include
• The legislation is a federal response to the ongoing redistricting battle happening not only in California, but across America.
• The Representation Act modernizes redistricting by creating a clear, enforceable process for documenting communities of interest and preventing states from dividing them without legitimate justification.
• The Representation Act would require states to identify and publish communities of interest before drawing congressional districts and provide residents with a process to submit their own communities for consideration.
• Once documented, those communities generally could not be divided between congressional districts unless required by law or necessary to preserve another community of interest.

“When communities of interest are split apart, people who share the same land, resources, economy, and a way of life can suddenly find themselves represented by multiple lawmakers who may not understand their priorities,” said Seth Watts, longtime Californian and resident of Chico. “That’s why protecting communities of interest matters. Not just for fair representation, but for the people and wildlife that depend on these places.”

The legislation comes as redistricting battles across the country have raised renewed questions about congressional boundaries, such as how they are uniquely drawn, and the impact those decisions can have on real neighborhoods and communities.

“I support the Act, and I certainly support the Congressman,” said Molin.

Background
Under the Representation Act legislation:
• States must identify and document communities of interest and accept submissions directly from residents.
• Documented communities generally cannot be divided unless necessary to meet equal population requirements, comply with the Voting Rights Act, or preserve another community of interest.
• States must publicly explain why a documented community was divided when final congressional maps are adopted.
• Residents have limited legal recourse when a documented community is improperly divided, or a proposed community is not properly considered.
• The Election Assistance Commission would develop national standards and mapping tools to assist states with identifying communities of interest.
• The legislation defines a community of interest as a geographically connected population that shares cultural, historical, economic, or social characteristics.

Click here to read more about the Representation Act.