On February 27, 2022, the Ward 4 ANC redistricting task force released four discussion maps for new ANC/SMD boundaries within the ward. It is worth taking a look at the maps on the redistricting site to see the options for how new boundaries may be drawn. A subgroup of the redistricting task force focused on the boundaries for ANC 4B presented at last night’s ANC 4B meeting. There was not any time to get to questions about the maps during the meeting, but it is clear that many of the single member districts (SMD) within ANC 4B exceed the legal limit. So most SMD boundaries will likely have to change, including the ones covering Lamond-Riggs (ANC 4B07, 4B08, and 4B09).

The task force’s presentation on the proposed maps is available on the redistricting site. The presentation includes helpful questions to think about as one looks at the proposed maps. One of the big questions for the task force is whether a new commission within Ward 4 (ANC 4E) should be created to help balance the numbers. A couple of the discussion maps propose a new ANC 4E, while a couple of the maps simply balance the numbers among the existing commissions. My understanding is that Map 3 is the closest to what the redistricting subgroup for ANC 4B devised with respect to proposed ANC 4B boundaries.

The task force will hold a public meeting on March 8, 2022, to get input on the discussion maps. Below is communication from Councilmember Janeese Lewis George’s office, dated February 28, with more information about the discussion maps and the task force process for drawing new ANC/SMD boundaries.

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From Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George

Yesterday the Ward 4 Redistricting Task Force released four preliminary “discussion maps” with updated Ward 4 SMD/ANC boundaries for the decade ahead. The maps were created based on initial Task Force deliberations and community input and intended to spur additional community feedback.

Please share any feedback with the Ward 4 Redistricting Task Force by emailing Ward4Redistricting@dccouncil.us, leaving a voicemail with your input at 202-642-5714, or testifying at the public meeting on March 8 so it can be considered by the full Task Force. The Task Force is requesting feedback on both preferences between the proposed maps as a whole and on specific elements within each map.

More information can be found on the Ward 4 Redistricting website or copied below from the Councilmember’s newsletter: 

• The maps that were released this Sunday are only preliminary drafts. They’re meant to spur more community input and provide context to some of the ideas that the task force is considering as a recommendation to the Council. There will still be several opportunities for the public to weigh in, and for the Task Force to make further changes.
• The maps that were released on Sunday are not the final options that the Task Force is considering. It is possible and likely that the Task Force will ultimately propose a map with elements from each map and additional changes based on community feedback. 
• Save the date for the Ward 4 Task Force’s next community meeting on Tuesday, March 8 from 7pm-9pm. It will be a chance to share your feedback and ideas with the Task Force as they work to finalize their recommendations to the Council. RSVP by March 7 at this link to make your voice heard.
• You can weigh in with the Redistricting Task Force at any point by emailing Ward4Redistricting@dccouncil.us or leaving a voicemail with your input at 202-642-5714. The Task Force will revise its proposal based on community input and issue a recommendation to the Council at the end of March. To ensure transparency, please do not privately contact individual Task Force members with redistricting requests or feedback – Task Force members should all hear the same ideas equally and openly from the public.
• The DC Council’s Subcommittee on Redistricting will then provide more opportunities for public input. Then they’ll consider making changes to the Task Force recommendations from each ward before the proposed map is brought to the entire Council for final consideration and two votes.
• Thousands of Ward 4 residents will be included in a new SMD. Here’s why: DC law calls for Single-Member Districts (SMDs) to encompass between 1,900-2,100 residents. Ward 4’s population growth over the past decade puts most (75%+) current SMDs above that range, meaning that many new SMD boundaries (as well as 4-5 new SMDs) will need to be drawn in Ward 4. The task force invites your feedback on where and how to make required changes to boundary lines. 
• All Ward 4 Redistricting Task Force meetings are open to the public. You can sign up to attend any future meeting and find recordings and presentation slides from past meetings on the Ward 4 Redistricting web page. Also, all meetings offer ASL and Spanish interpretation.
• The ANC/SMD redistricting process does not affect school boundaries. It is however an important aspect of your political representation at the local level.