Libertarian Party of Indiana Calls for an End to Partisan Redistricting; Urges Public to Attend Upcoming Seminar to Get Informed and Join Forces with Reform Coalition
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Today in Indianapolis the Libertarian Party of Indiana reaffirmed its long-time support for changing the way that federal and state legislative districts are drawn. Redistricting reform has finally become a hot topic in Indiana recently, starting with Secretary of State Todd Rokita’s push for a less partisan process and followed by Senate President Pro Tem David Long’s announcement that he will work for a set of redistricting criteria and the eventual creation of a non-partisan redistricting commission.
Libertarian Party of Indiana Executive Director Chris Spangle said, “For too long Republicans and Democrats in the Indiana General Assembly have colluded together every ten years when they re-draw the political maps. They put political interest over the public interest and draw districts that preserve their partisan power while denying voters any real choice on Election Day. It’s time to end this blatant conflict of interest and turn the map-drawing duties over to an independent commission with a clear set of criteria that protects the public interest.”
Spangle continued, “We also want to encourage our supporters, and the public in general to attend an upcoming seminar that will focus on redistricting reform. Redistricting 2011: A New Day for Democracy or Politics as Usual? will feature a panel of experts discussing how and why the Indiana General Assembly should reform the redistricting process. It will be held on Dec 18 from 11:30 – 1:15 at the Indiana State House. For more information contact Common Cause/Indiana at 317-925-5780.
The Libertarian Party of Indiana candidates for Secretary of State called for redistricting reform in both 2002 and 2006.
For more information contact Executive Director Chris Spangle at 317-975-5558 or cspangle@lpin.org.