The Independent Maps coalition began a $1 million summer television and digital redistricting ad campaign

From the Independent Maps coalition:

The Independent Maps coalition on Friday began a $1 million summer television and digital ad campaign to tell voters how they can change the system with fair elections that will make politicians listen to voters.

” Illinois voters are frustrated with the current dysfunction in their state government and the fact that they have only one candidate to vote for in 60 percent of state legislative races,” said Dennis FitzSimons, Chair of the non-profit, non-partisan Independent Maps. “So from now through the November election, we intend to increase voter awareness of the current map drawing process that causes their frustration and tell them how they can change this broken system.”

The 30-second ad “Rally” tells voters: “You can rally. You can organize. You can exercise your right to vote. But because politicians in Springfield rig the system and draw the boundaries of their own districts so they can’t lose, nothing ever changes, and no one is held accountable for the culture of corruption or the budget stalemate. But by voting ‘yes’ on the Independent Map Amendment, citizens can change the system with fair elections that will make politicians listen to voters.”

A companion 15-second commercial “Organize” carries the same, but shortened message.

“The current system allows legislators to draw their own district lines behind closed doors to maximize their advantage and reduce choices for voters,” FitzSimons said. “And the inherent conflict of interest needs to be crystal clear to voters. Poll after poll has shown strong voter support for reforming the way legislative district maps are drawn, and that popularity translated into more than 560,000 signatures on petitions to place the Independent Map Amendment on the 2016 ballot.”

A spring poll by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute found 64 percent of Illinois voters support having an independent commission draw legislative maps.

To read full news release, go to https://www.mapamendment.org/news/10559
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.