Jun 12, 2007 -- Redistricting: The Video Game - We're not kidding

We wanted to make sure you were aware of the event Wednesday June 13 outlined below hosted by Representative John Tanner (D-TN) unveiling a new redistricting videogame. J. Gerald Hebert, Executive Director of the Campaign Legal Center, will be delivering remarks at the event. The fact that a redistricting videogame has been developed speaks volumes about how widespread and well-known redistricting abuses have become. In a democracy, voters should choose their elected representatives. The redistricting videogame shows how easy it is for politicians to abuse the redistricting process, manipulate lines through gerrymandering, and choose which voters they want in their districts. We encourage people to attend the event and view this highly educational and entertaining videogame.

VIDEOGAME UNITES DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS AND REFORM GROUPS TO COMBAT GERRYMANDERING

University of Southern California, Rep. Tanner, Reform Leaders Introduce THE REDISTRICTING GAME on Capitol Hill

LOS ANGELES, June 7, 2007 - Leading researchers from the University of Southern California, joined by members of Congress and key political reform groups, will debut THE REDISTRICTING GAME, a free, online videogame, on Capitol Hill on Wednesday June 13th at 10 a.m.

The game exposes how redistricting works, how it is abused, and how it adversely affects our democracy. It provides hands-on understanding of the real redistricting process, including drawing district maps and interacting with party bosses, congresspeople, citizen groups and courts. Players directly experience how crafty manipulation of lines can yield skewed victories for either party—effectively allowing politicians to choose their voters instead of voters choosing their politicians.

In addition, the game provides details on a variety of reform measures—including a playable version of Rep. John Tanner's (D-TN) "Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act" (H.R. 543)—as well as features that allow players to get involved in the public discourse: dialoging with fellow citizens online; spreading the word; writing their congressperson directly from the game.

Developed at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, THE REDISTRICTING GAME takes what is traditionally regarded as an amusement—electronic gaming—and harnesses it as a powerful communications and education medium reaching out to all voters—regardless of age, region or political affiliation.

THE REDISTRICTING GAME makes its national debut on Wednesday, June 13th, when Congressman Tanner and other members of Congress, along with reform leaders from FairVote.org, Council for Excellence in Government, Campaign Legal Center, and League of Women Voters welcome the USC design team, headed by USC School of Cinematic Arts' professor Chris Swain, as well as Duane Dunfield, vice-president of Red Hot Learning, Inc., to Capitol Hill.

Formal presentation of THE REDISTRICTING GAME will be followed by the opportunity for the media to play the game and speak with the researchers, members and reform leaders.

USC REDISTRICTING GAME
CAPITOL HILL FEATURE DEMONSTRATION

10:00 AM, Wednesday, June 13th, 2007
RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING, Room B-318
Washington, D.C.

The REDISTRICTING GAME is a project of the University of Southern California's Annenberg Center for Communication, Annenberg School for Communication, and School of Cinematic Arts and Red Hot Learning, Inc., of Fredericton, NB, Canada.

Press Contacts:

For USC: John Zollinger, USC School of Cinematic Arts, jzollinger@cinema.usc.edu, 213.740.9514

Bo Morrison, The Angellotti Company, bo@angelcopr.com, 818.506.7887

For Red Hot Learning, regarding the Canadian team, Gary Stairs, 506.454.3000; or cell 506.470.1000

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