The Joyce-supported Midwest Democracy Network (MDN), an alliance of 25 groups advocating for political reform, civil rights, and other interests in the Great Lakes region, launched Draw the Line Midwest, a campaign to increase openness and public participation in the legislative map-making process. Through a grant to George Mason University, partner organizations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin will work with the Public Mapping Project and Metro Chicago Information Center to launch District Builder, a Joyce-funded open-source web app that allows citizens to create their own legislative maps. Up-to-date information on District Builder can be found on the Draw the Line Midwest website.

While encouraging use of District Builder, organizations in each state will also host public forums and hearings, establish partnerships with business leaders, and sponsor online competitions, among other tactics, to increase transparency.

Download the press release.
Read about MDN in Joyce’s newsletter.