Why
It is essential that the position about districting is known to all the participants in the process, and
ideally they should have had the opportunity to make representations about the proposals. Even if
the review and arrangements are complete and there is no opportunity for amendment, it is still
very important that electors, parties, candidates and agents all know how the area concerned is
divided in to districts, where electors vote, the number of electors in each electoral area and so
on. The parties and candidates need this information so they can organise their campaigns to
voters at grass-roots level. The electors need to know the make up of district or area and where
within that area they go to cast their vote. The electoral manager needs to know because it affects
the number of poll workers required, the amount of equipment to be procured, and in fact, every
aspect of the electoral arrangements.
Letting everyone involved know the proposals is a part of the transparency process.
How
There are two elements of provision of information. The first is when the boundary delimitation
process is underway and the participants will want to have copies of proposals so they can
consider, evaluate, and if allowed by law, either support the proposals or put forward counter
proposals. To enable this process to run smoothly, participants need comprehensive information -
elector details, proposed boundaries, numbers in each electoral area, numbers overall and
preferably an explanation of how the proposals were reached and what other options were
considered. It is normal for public notice to be given when an electoral boundary review is
underway. The starting point is often to invite representations about the current arrangements
and then to prepare draft proposals which can be publicised and reviewed, often by an impartial
body with the final districting arrangements being published after all representations have been
heard. A timetable must be followed; otherwise, the process will continue indefinitely. However,
maximum public notice and information should be given using whatever sources are available.
The second element of publicity is after the districting arrangements are fixed and when the
knowledge is needed for the election process. Candidates, parties and electors all need to know.
Providing individual poll cards or sample ballot papers to electors is one way of keeping them
informed - see Complete Information. Another way is to issue newspapers or newsletters to electors which
include precinct or district maps, because the voter then knows not only where he or she has to
vote but also what geographical area the district covers.
This information at the local level should be supplemented by information built up at each
electoral level so that it can be seen at the district, area, county, regional and national level that
the districting process has been carried out fairly and in accordance with the law.
A guiding principle to take into account is to aim for maximum accessibility of information at
minimal or no cost to the participant. Making information available at a high cost for the
published report will do little to aid transparency.
