Comm. 013 - 2021-09-22 (testimony) Common Cause Hawaii: items on September 23, 2021 agenda

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COMMUNICATION 013 7 Cammon Cause Hawaii Holding Power Accountable September 22, 2021 P.O. Box 2240 Hoiiofulu, Hawaii 96804 808.275.6275 Redistricting Commission (Via Email Only) Office of the County Clerk 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1402 Hilo, HI 96720 RE: September 23, 2021, Agenda of the 2021 Hawaii County Redistricting Commission Dear 2021 Hawai'i County Redistricting Commission: Common Cause Hawaii is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy and ensuring a fair and transparent reapportionment and redistricting process. Common Cause Hawai'i continues to testify in strong support of a transparent reapportionment and redistricting process. We ask again that the Commission record each of its meetings to be made publicly available as soon as possible for later viewing. Providing recordings of these meetings will ensure greater transparency for and public access to the 2021 Hawai'i County Redistricting Commission meetings. Additionally, we note Act 220 (2021) amended the Sunshine Law to allow the conduct of remote meetings in non -emergency times and would take effect January 1, 2022. Act 220 allows boards and the commissions the option to use interactive conference technology to conduct remote meetings under the Sunshine Law, while still retaining the option to conduct traditional in -person meetings at a single meeting site or at multiple meeting sites connected by interactive conference technology. Thus, it is reasonable to continue with remote meetings, which should be recorded for later viewing. Common Cause Hawai'i also calls upon the Commission to count incarcerated people according to their home addresses as of April 1, 2020, the official Census Date, for the purposes of drawing council district lines. Including incarcerated persons in the population count for the district in which their facility is located alters representational proportions and, as a result, the voting power of residents. Counting HawaiTs incarcerated population according to their home addresses will: eliminate this issue and ensure an accurate and true reapportionment of Oahu's council districts. Attached is information on how to count incarcerated people at their home addresses. Lastly, Common Cause Hawai'i commends this Commission for honoring the intent of the Sunshine Law and facilitating public testimony at the beginning of every agenda and after each agenda item. Given the consequential matters that will be discussed during the meeting after