Join us at the NCSL Capitol Forum, Dec. 8-11 in Washington, D.C., to help craft the States’ Agenda and be a voice for the states on Lobby Day on Capitol Hill. The Capitol Forum features sessions on important state-federal issues, special tours and briefings for legislative staff, and opportunities to connect with legislative colleagues from across the nation.
This page shows the agenda for sessions of the Redistricting and Elections Committee at the 2015 NCSL Capitol Forum in Washington, D.C.
For more information, visit the NCSL Capitol Forum website or view the preliminary NCSL Capitol Forum agenda. See you in Washington, D.C.!
Redistricting and Elections Committee Officers
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Legislator co-chair: Representative William C. Denny Jr., Mississippi
Legislator co-chair: Senator Daniel A. Ivey-Soto, New Mexico
Legislator vice chair: Senator David L. Blount, Mississippi
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Legislative staff co-chair: James F. Booth, Mississippi
Legislative staff co-chair: Jeffrey M. Wice, New York
Legislative staff vice chair: Jessica L. Karls-Ruplinger
Legislative staff vice chair: Frank Strigari, Ohio
Legislative staff vice chair: Aaron Willard, Missouri
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Wednesday, DEC. 9
| Time |
Sessions |
| 7 a.m.-5 p.m. |
Registration |
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9-10 a.m.
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The U.S. Census Bureau and NCSL: The Partnership Continues
The 2020 Census will be like none other before. Come hear highlights from the just released 2020 Census Operational Plan and what changes are in store for the 2020 Redistricting Data Program.
Moderator
- Jeffrey M. Wice, State Assembly, New York
Panelists
- Jennie Karalewich, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington D.C.
- James Whitehorne, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington D.C.
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| 10-10:30 a.m. |
Break |
| 10:30-11:30 a.m. |
Update on the 2015 National Content Test Race and Ethnic Research Plans
Research affecting the 2020 Census is continuing. Come hear a preliminary discussion on the just finished 2015 National Content Test and ethnic research plans occurring at the U.S. Census Bureau.
Moderator
- Jeffrey M. Wice, State Assembly, New York
Panelist
- Nicholas Jones, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington D.C.
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| 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. |
Lunch and Lobby Day Briefing |
| 2-5:30 p.m. |
Congressional Meetings |
| 2-5:30 p.m. |
Legislative Staff Trainings and Briefings |
| 5-6:30 p.m. |
Reception – on Capitol Hill. Offsite – Rayburn: B-338-340 |
Thursday, DEC. 10
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7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
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Registration
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| 8:30-8:40 a.m. |
Committee Welcome and Orientation
The officers of the Redistricting and Elections Standing Committee will welcome attendees, describe the mission of the Committee and preview the day’s agenda.
Panelist
- Representative William Denny, Mississippi
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8:40-9:45 a.m.
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Election Policy: Three Top Topics (CLE)
Hear three top speakers address three top topics from this year: how states are grappling with voting technology for the future—options and costs; the Voting Rights Act, past, present, and future; and a run down on contentious election-related court cases.
Moderator
- Senator David Blount, Mississippi
Panelists
- Bruce Adelson, Federal Compliance Consulting, Maryland
- Rebecca Green, College of William and Mary, Virginia
- Brian Newby, U.S. Election Assistance Commission, Washington, D.C.
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9:45-10 a.m.
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Break
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10-10:15 a.m.
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Legislative Action on Elections
Everything you may need to know about this year’s legislative action—delivered in 15 minutes or less. We’ll touch on automatic registration, ballot selfies, and the year’s most prominent policy, online voter registration.
Moderator
- Raysa J. Martinez Kruger, Office of Legislative Services, New Jersey
Panelist
- Daniel Diorio, NCSL, Colorado
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10:15-11:30 a.m.
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The Voters’ Experience
Who’s the most important person on Election Day? The voter. Learn how voters experienced Election Day 2014—what motivated them, stymied them, or inspired them. With help and research from The Pew Charitable Trusts, this session will look at how voters view the election process—and we’ll learn from each other’s experiences as well.
Moderator
- Senator Todd Weiler, Utah
Panelists
- Amy Cohen, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Washington D.C.
- Heather M. Creek, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Washington D.C.
- Monica Flores, Los Angeles County, California
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| 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. |
Plenary Lunch
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| 1:30-2:30 p.m. |
Legal Developments in Redistricting (CLE)
Get an update on the flurry of court cases from 2015, and a preview of those on the docket for next year. Expect an up-to-the-minute report on the Evenwel v. Abbott case out of Texas, which will be argued before the Supreme Court on Dec. 8.
Moderator
- James F. Booth, PEER Committee, Mississippi
Panelists
- Marc E. Elias, Perkins Coie, Washington D.C.
- Dale Oldham, Republican National Committee, Washington D.C.
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| 2:35-3:35 p.m. |
Redistricting Commissions: Who’s Got Them, Who’s Proposing Them, and How Do They Work?
2015 has seen a surprising number of legislative proposals for redistricting commissions. We’ll look at who is considering commissions and what their options are. How? By hearing from states that have them, be they bipartisan, advisory only, or designed for independence.
Moderator
- Debra Levine, Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment, New York
Panelists
- Michelle Davis, Legislative Services, Maryland
- Representative William Denny, Mississippi
- Frank Strigari, chief legal counsel, Ohio Senate
- Dan Vicuna, Common Cause, California
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| 3:36-3:45 p.m. |
Break
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3:45-4:45 p.m.
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Fundraising and Legislating: Two Jobs in One
The cost of campaigning for legislative seats continues its trend upward. Learn how much campaigns cost in the states and discuss how the need to raise money impacts the legislative process and agenda. Hear from legislators from big states, small states, red states, and blue states about how they balance fundraising and legislating roles.
Moderator
- Douglas Himes, Office of Legal Services, Tennessee
Panelists
- Senator Curtis Bramble, Utah
- Senator Cheryl Kagan, Maryland
- Senator Judy Lee, North Dakota
- Assemblymember Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, California
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Friday, DEC. 11
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7:30 a.m.-Noon
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Registration |
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8-9 a.m.
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Plenary Breakfast
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| 9:30-11 a.m. |
Redistricting Working Session
Join a core group of your fellow legislators and legislative staff to help NCSL provide the most comprehensive redistricting information available. Be prepared to work on NCSL’s Redistricting Law 2020 book (also known as the “Red Book”), help restructure and organize NCSL’s redistricting webpages, and plan for future discussions as states prepare for the 2020 redistricting cycle.
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