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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBill 16-37 Resolution Supporting Redistricting ReformFax: 574.235.9173 April 18, 2016 The South Bend Common Council 4th Floor County -City Building South Bend, Indiana 46601 �o�rH ee o The South Bend Common Council 4" Floor County -City Building 227 West Jefferson Boulevard South Bend, Indiana 46601 -1830 274.235.9321 Re: Resolution Supporting Redistricting Reform Dear Council Members: TDD: 574.235.5567 On April 4, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the principal of "One Person, One Vote" in drawing legislative districts in states. A Special Interim Committee on Redistricting is to be composed of legislators and private citizens to study the redistricting process. This committee is "...to evaluate the potential benefits, consequences, costs, and issues that would need to change in the method for establishing Indiana General Assembly and United States Congress election districts ". This committee is to complete its responsibilities before December 1, 2016. The proposed attached Resolution would urge the Special Interim Committee on Redistricting to produce a final report which supports comprehensive redistricting reform, which is fair and reasonable. We request that this proposed Resolution be referred to the Council's Community Relations Committee for review and recommendation. I further request your support of this Resolution. Thank you. a be"-A�iver J. Davis 6th -s Council Member o nc Vice - Presiden Cou JMember Regina Williams- reston, 2nd District Council Member Filed in Clerk's Office EAR 8 2 116 KAREEMAH FOWLER CITYCLEwRK, SOUTH BEND, IN RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA IN SUPPORT OF REDISTRICTING REFORM FOR INDIANA WHEREAS, the current redistricting process creates a potential conflict of interest—as state legislators are effectively choosing their own constituents; and WHEREAS, the redistricting process should be conducted in an open manner with real opportunities for public dialogue and feedback, not behind closed doors; and WHEREAS, public input and involvement in the redistricting process will empower our communities by allowing them to elect representatives who represent their interests on issues that are important to their lives; and WHEREAS, the boundaries of state districts are currently drawn by legislative incumbents, often sacrificing the integrity of neighborhoods and cities; and WHEREAS, important principles such as the protections of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 and respect for neighborhoods and cities should be clearly listed for a Commission to abide by; WHEREAS, voters are more likely to participate when they feel that their vote will count and that they have a reasonable chance of electing candidates who represent their interests; and WHEREAS, elected officials are more responsive to constituents when voters have a choice of candidates, thus increasing accountability and serving the best interests of the voters of Indiana; and NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: Section 1. The Common Council urges the Special Interim Committee on Redistricting to produce a final report that supports comprehensive redistricting reform which incorporates the following: 1. The state of Indiana should establish a citizens -led commission composed of Indiana voters who are representative of the state's diversity, partisan balance, and geography, for all future redistricting. This Commission will oversee the process to draw the lines of the state Senate, state House of Representatives and Congressional districts. 2. District boundaries should be drawn according to clearly described criteria, including respect for: a. The U.S. Constitution's requirement of one person, one vote; b. The Voting Rights Act (VRA); c. Contiguity requirements (to draw districts as one connected area); d. Communities of interest, city and county boundaries; e. Political competition, where this does not conflict with the above criteria Resolution in Support of Redistricting Reform Page 2 f. Compactness, where this does not conflict with the above criteria; . 3. The addresses of any individual, including an incumbent officeholder or candidate, shall not be considered when any district is drawn. 4. The Commission should conduct a transparent redistricting process with full opportunities for public participation. All redistricting plan information should be available in a timely fashion, free of charge, via a public website and other means. The public should be provided the ability to draw and submit maps for Commission consideration. 5. The public should be given ample notice to participate in any Commission meetings and meetings should be held in at least 3 different geographic regions of the state. 6. Members of the Commission must be prohibited from all off -the- record communications with anyone (including lobbyists, political party officials, elected officeholders and candidates), except staff and legal counsel. 7. Redistricting should occur once every 10 years following the decennial U.S. Census and Congressional Reapportionment. Section II. The Office of the City Clerk shall send a copy of this Resolution, following Common Council disposition, to all State Representatives and State Senators representing the City of South Bend, to the Special Interim Study Committee, and to the League of Women Voters for the South Bend area. Section III. This Resolution shall be in full force and Council and approval by the Mayor. n e- Member Council Vice - President South Bend Common Council Coi nail Member ITegma Willi 2nd District Council Member South Bend Common Council PAESEWEE . NOT APPROVED after it 5_a tion by the Common District Council Member Filed in Clerk's Office APR 18 2016 KAREEMAH FOWLER CITY CLERK. `Q,()t TH BEND, IN