We'll hand out awards and more than $30,000 in prizes to the individuals and teams whose work in our spring mapping competition impressed our judges.
Winners of regional awards were announced last June, but this is there moment to be formally recognized and congratulated. A number of state lawmakers will attend to meet and honor citizen mappers from their districts. Some of the DTL honorees will visit legislator's Capitol offices during the course of the day to share their maps and their views on redistricting reform.
We'll also announce the winners and runners-up for our statewide awards in three age divisions: high school, higher ed and adult. State winners will receive $5,000 and runners-up $2,500. The statewide champs are drawn from the ranks of regional honorees and are selected by a panel that includes a former governor, former state Superior Court judge, former state Senator and former U.S. Attorney.
Also to be announced is the winner of our online ballot for the People's Choice Award. Voting on that will close at 11:59 p.m. next Monday, so there's still time to cast your own ballot(s) in that competition.
We'll also reveal our honorees for High School Educator and College Educator of the year.
The event will be streamed on Facebook Live. Check back on our Facebook page (Draw the Lines PA) on Tuesday to get the link.
If you plan on coming, keep in mind that public parking around the state Capitol, while plentiful, gets occupied quickly on a "session day" for the General Assembly like Tuesday. Also be aware that every member of dthe public entering the Rotunda is subject to a security screening, so allow time for that.
Hope to see you there. Seeing these citizen mappers and the quality of their work will bolster your faith in the future of our democracy.
