Independent Maps is collecting signatures to establish an Independent Redistricting Commission to establish state districts that are not politically driven.Independent Map Amendment Executive Director Cynthia Canary says they want to create a diverse 11-person Commission to redistrict the legislative map with public input.
Canary tells WGIL that they want the commission to be able to redistrict in ways that represent the diversity of the state, rather than by which political party is in control.
“The language in the initiative very specifically says that the people drawing the map, this independent commission, will respect the voting rights act,” says Canary. “It will respect communities of interest, whether they’re geographic or social or political boundaries like towns or counties and that the map that comes out will not be designed to favor one party over the other.”
Canary says currently they have roughly 275,000 signatures out of their goal of 600,000, with only just over 290,000 needed by next spring.
Canary says she anticipates some opposition from political leaders, but expects the amendment to appear on the voting ballots in November of 2016.
