Defending Democracy - Redistricting, the Census, and the Future of California
We're excited to have the Advancement Project's Alejandra Ponce de León on the show to discuss crucially important issues like getting a full, accurate census in one of the nation’s hardest-to-count places (hint hint — it's Los Angeles), why it matters for our democracy and getting the resources we need to tackle our region's biggest challenges, and how people like you can prevent gerrymandering through the independent citizens redistricting commission.
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Apply to be part of the Redistricting Commission: https://shapecaliforniasfuture.auditor.ca.gov
Alejandra de Dios Ponce de León is a Policy and Research Analyst of Political Voice at Advancement Project. She leads collaborative efforts, technical support, and policy research to strengthen our democracy by advancing policy changes that eliminate racial disparities and institutional barriers to authentic public participation in decision making. Currently, her work is focused on establishing an Office of Civic Engagement in the City of Los Angeles; leading 2020 Census educational outreach and collaborative efforts with community-based organizations in various counties; and convening philanthropic groups to coordinate and support grassroots efforts to ensure hard-to-count populations are included in the Census.
Prior to joining Advancement Project, Alejandra was the Statewide Campaigns Manager at Californians for Justice, where she laid the infrastructure to engage and mobilize thousands of young voters of color across the state to vote in order to ensure greater accountability by elected officials, as well as passage of progressive ballot measures that address the needs of low income, communities of color. As Lead Organizer with Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development (OCCORD), she was instrumental in bringing together and leading the coalition’s initial legal strategies, organizing plans, and actions that brought about district-based elections in Anaheim. In addition, Alejandra was a union organizer with UNITE HERE! Local 11, where she co-led a successful campaign to unionize food and retail service workers at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, as well as gain higher wages and better health benefits thru contract negotiations with LAX food and retail service workers.
Alejandra received her Master’s in City and Regional Planning from UC Berkeley and her Bachelors in International Development Studies, including minors in Chicana/o Studies and Political Science at UCLA. She currently lives in Long Beach with her husband and baby daughter, Ameyaltzin.