Terry Kelliher gives link to Public Access Media Project on Kell News with Peter Mingils

Loading… 0:00 0:00 Founder Terry Kelliher to the domain names for Public Access Media Network Peter Mingils and Terry Kelliher talk weekly about the Public Access Media Network. This week Terry reveal access to the domain name to sign up and test how it works, as they work on the live version.Here's the link:https://publicaccessmedia.network The Public Access Media project will be launching in second quarter of 2026. On this epsode Terry Kelliher talks about an initial goal of having at least 10 users from each congressional district in the United States. The Architecture of Representation: Understanding Congressional Districts At its core, the United States House of Representatives is built on a simple, democratic promise: your voice should be heard based on where you live. To manage this for a nation of over 330 million people, the country is carved into 435 congressional districts. These aren't just lines on a map; they are the fundamental units of American political power. 1. The Math of Apportionment The number of districts is capped at 435, a limit set by the Permanent Apportionment Act of 1929. Every ten years, following the U.S. Census, the federal government goes through a process called apportionment. If a state's population grows significantly, it might gain a seat (and thus a new district); if it shrinks or stagnates compared to other states, it might lose one. While every state is guaranteed at least one representative regardless of size (like Wyoming or Vermont), larger states like California or Texas have dozens. 2. The Art of Redistricting Once the number of seats per state is decided, the states themselves must draw the boundaries. This is redistricting. The primary rule is that districts must be roughly equal in population—currently about 760,000 people per district—to ensure "one person, one vote.” However, the process is rarely just about math. In most states, the state legislature controls the drawing of these lines. This often leads to gerrymandering, where boundaries are manipulated to favor one political party or group over another. By "packing” opposition voters into one district or "cracking” them across several, politicians can effectively influence the outcome of elections before a single ballot is cast. 3. Why Districts Matter to You Your congressional district determines who represents your specific local interests in Washington, D.C. While Senators represent the entire state, a House Representative is focused on the unique needs of their district—whether that's urban infrastructure, rural farming subsidies, or coastal flood management. Proximity: Representatives often maintain local offices to help constituents navigate federal agencies (like the VA or Social Security).The Electoral College: The number of districts a state has directly impacts its influence in Presidential elections, as a state's electoral votes equal its total number of Representatives plus its two Senators. 4. Who Controls the Lines? Because redistricting is so influential, many states have moved toward Independent Redistricting Commissions. These are non-partisan or bipartisan groups designed to take the "politics” out of the map-making process, prioritizing geographic continuity and community interest over party advantage. Summary Table: Key Terms TermDefinitionFrequencyApportionmentDividing the 435 seats among the 50 states.Every 10 yearsRedistrictingDrawing the actual lines within a state.Every 10 yearsGerrymanderingDrawing lines to benefit a specific party.OngoingConstituentsThe people living within a specific district.Constant Congressional districts are the gears of the American republic. They ensure that as the population shifts and grows, the "People's House” shifts along with it. Understanding your district is the first step in understanding how your specific community plugs into the massive engine of federal government. Local access media is a big advantage for new political candidates who don't have much money. In politics, beginners and those with small budgets struggle against experienced politicians who spend a lot on ads. But there's a helpful tool available locally that many people overlook: public access media.This includes public, educational, and governmental (PEG) channels—like community cable TV, local radio, and online streams run by cities or non-profits. These are set up for regular people to use, often at no cost or very low cost. Laws in many places require them to let citizens speak out.For people running for office, these channels do two great things: They let you help your community for real, and they quietly build support for your campaign.Here's how it works. These media follow rules from the FCC that focus on non-commercial content. You can't air regular campaign ads, but you can make shows that teach or inform people. These shows can show what you know and care about. Start by looking up your local PEG center—try searching "public ...