City creates Applicant Review Panel for redistricting

Last week, the Office of the City Auditor launched the process of City Council redistricting by forming the Applicant Review Panel. The three members of the panel, who were randomly selected, are James Christianson, Abigael McClean and William Cooper. The panel is tasked with reviewing 270 qualified applicants to the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission and selecting the 60 most qualified applicants. From the pool of 60, after Council has had an opportunity to strike one member each, 14 members will be selected to redraw the boundaries of the Council districts. Despite a push for a diverse panel, all three panel members are white, and as the Austin American-Statesman reported, some citizens are concerned.  More information about the whole process can be found here.