Commission to oversee Illinois independent redistricting reforms backed by online petition signers | Democracy, elections and voting at Democracy Chronicles

SOURCE Independent Maps – More than 400,000 Illinoisans have signed petitions to put the Independent Map Amendment on the November 2016 ballot.

These petition signers want to give voters a choice between an independent commission drawing state legislative maps in a fair and transparent manner and the current system where politicians draw the maps to maximize partisan advantage and protect incumbents.

The non-partisan Independent Maps coalition announced Tuesday that it has collected 402,109 signatures and is now more than two-thirds of the way to its goal of collecting 600,000 signatures.

“Just like in Ohio where on November 3rd a redistricting reform initiative passed 71-29 percent, Illinoisans are clamoring for change in the way state legislative maps are drawn,” said Dennis FitzSimons, Chair of Independent Maps. “After seeing 60 percent of state legislative races go uncontested in November 2014 because of slanted maps drawn to discourage competition and protect incumbents, voters want to fix a rigged system.”

The Independent Map Amendment would create a non-partisan independent commission responsible for drawing state legislative districts. The commission-drawn maps would be required to protect the voting rights of racial and ethnic minorities, and the maps would be drawn without regard to incumbency or partisanship.

” Illinois voters want the same kind of opportunity as Ohio voters had to enact redistricting reform and give them a voice in the process,” said Cynthia Canary, Executive Director of Independent Maps. “All over America, there is frustration with the absence of fair legislative maps. California and Arizona demonstrated how to reform the process through the power of citizen initiatives, and reform campaigns are catching fire in Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania and elsewhere.

Visit www.MapAmendment.org to read full news release.

Paid for by Support Independent Maps. A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available on the Board’s official website ( www.elections.il.gov) or for purchase from the Illinois State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois.