Portland Courant

Join Independent District Commission Engagement Coordinator Adam Briggs to learn more about DistrictR, a mapmaking tool, and submit your ideas for the commission to consider. 

The Independent District Commission wants to hear from Portlanders! The Commission is currently reviewing district map submissions from community members and encourages all Portlanders to submit their ideas for the city’s future electoral districts. To make it easier to submit a map or to simply learn more about the process, the IDC will be offering ten opportunities throughout May to join in on a training.  

Since mid-April, Portlanders have been able to submit their maps using DistrictR, a map making tool that uses 2020 census data and provides overlays of neighborhood and school district boundaries to allow for granular electoral maps.   

To date, over 100 maps have been submitted, and this an opportunity for all Portlanders to get involved. That’s why staff will be leading ten trainings for community members to learn more about the tool and how to submit their map ideas.  

The trainings will be offered over Zoom, in the evenings and afternoons, with closed captioning and interpretation available by request. Learn more on the IDC’s event page or register for a particular date below. 

• May 2 at 7 p.m. 
• May 5 at 12 p.m. 
• May 10 at 7 p.m. 
• May 12 at 12 p.m. 
• May 16 at 7 p.m. 
• May 19 at 12 p.m. 
• May 22 at 7 p.m. 
• May 26 at 12 p.m. 
• May 29 at 7 p.m.

Training participants can expect some background on the IDC, the criteria for the maps, and a short explanation of how the mapmaking tool and data layers work.  

But that’s not all – the District Commission needs your help defining communities of common interest! Community members can define the boundaries of a community of common interest. By doing so, they can highlight a particular community that they feel the Commission should keep in mind as they review district map submissions. Some communities of interest that have been submitted through public input include the David Douglas and Parkrose school districts, as well as East Portland neighborhoods. Tell us more about your community of interest through DistrictR or through our survey! 

The IDC understands that not all community members will be able to attend a training, which is why each session will be recorded and posted on their event page. This will provide an additional tutorial for community members to follow along to.  

Help Promote These Trainings: 

We invite community groups to promote these trainings, or to contact us for partnership opportunities. This could include providing a training in a language other than English or with expanded accessibility options. 

Learn more about the IDC, upcoming events, and the district mapmaking process at portland.gov/transition/districtcommission.

Original source can be found here