HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution in support of Redistricting Reform for IndianaAttest
RESOLUTION
No. 4558 -16
Passed by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana
April 25. _ 2016
Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana
April 26, 20 16
City Clerk
ident of Common Council
Approved and signed by me ►' "� a 20 l` .
City Clerk
RESOLUTION NO. 4 5 5 Y - I to
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
£ 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 I1I. This Resolution shall be in full force and 4 c o nd after it tion by the Common
Council and approval by the Mayor.
f �
ouncil Member 1' r J. a,
Council Vice - President
South Bend Common Council
C o CnA 1 Member egina Willi
2nd District Council Member
South Bend Common Council
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District Council Member
Filed in Clerk's Office
APR 18 2016
KAREEMAH FOWLER
CITYCLER ° .c ?t.'?H BEND, IN