Redistricting tour to make stop in B.R.

Elbridge Gerry was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and the fifth vice president of our country. He’s also the father of gerrymandering, as the name suggests: It’s the practice of dividing electoral districts for political advantage. Specifically, Gerry used the Massachusetts Legislature to redraw precincts to bolster his political efforts. Gerry’s place in history is just one of many topics that will be touched on this evening during a public hearing at Baton Rouge Community College. Hosted by the House and Senate governmental affairs committees, the hearing begins at 6 p.m. and will focus exclusively on the upcoming redistricting process. The PowerPoint presentation that will serve as the evening’s guide is already available online here. The presentation includes detailed deviations for local House and Senate seats, as well as the breakdowns for Baton Rouge’s seats on the state Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. The public hearing, though, shouldn’t be overlooked. It will be the last time key lawmakers will hear from the Baton Rouge area before the start of their March 20 special session on redistricting. “All Louisiana citizens have a vital interest in our redistricting process and in the election districts for elected offices in Louisiana,” says Rep. Rick Gallot, D-Ruston, chairman of the House and Governmental Affairs Committee. “Now is the time for the public’s opinions and voices to be heard concerning the makeup of these election districts.” —Jeremy Alford