#UNHackTheVote (Thursday Network),

About the event

The Goal

To inspire young professionals to protect the voting rights of all Americans. This Hackathon will educate YPs about redistricting and gerrymandering, and propose data and technology-driven solutions and increase public awareness.

The Challenge

Develop an informative way for citizens to learn about redistricting and gerrymandering practices using maps, data, and successful, unsuccessful, and ongoing initiatives. Propose solutions, policies, and movements that will prevent marginalization of our voting rights.

Why should you sponsor?

Every ten years, following the national census, city council, state legislature and congressional district boundaries must be redrawn to reflect the nation’s shifting population. The way district boundaries are drawn after the national census affects the composure of the state and federal legislatures for multiple election cycles. It is critically important that districts are drawn to maximize fair community representation.

Do you know who draws the lines of your district and how this will affect your next election, the school system our children will belong to, or the interests of the community you live in? Do you know what options you have under the current rules – and how to change them?

Redistricting mostly takes place behind closed doors. Legislators and political consultants decide which streets or neighborhoods are in or out, specialists make the maps, and the public has little opportunity to weigh in. This opacity allows for districts to be drawn for political gain. We believe that this should change – that this process should be more transparent. We believe that by leveraging technology, citizens can be more involved.

Amy Lee Walton

Founded in 1992, Thursday Network is comprised of more than 130 young professionals committed to serving the Washington Metropolitan area through community programs and partnership that address the Empowerment Goals of the National Urban League. The mission of TN is to provide a forum for young adults, ages 21 – 40, to focus their energies on community service, professional development, and political involvement.

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