Today, a panel of Common Cause’s redistricting experts briefed the media on the major victories local communities are winning in their efforts to transform redistricting into a citizen-led process.  

In case you missed today’s briefing, you can find the video link Hier.  

Select quotes from the briefing, in order of speakers, are below. 

Regarding the importance of fair redistricting at the local level:
“All politics is local and Common Cause is committed to fighting for fair maps at every level of government. Voters all across the country are showing that they won’t accept the gerrymandering of district maps to win an election, whether it’s for city council or congress. Voting maps belong to the voters and local communities in California, Maryland, and Indiana are showing the people want fair maps,” said Suzanne Almeida, Redistricting and Representation Counsel, Common Cause. 

Regarding how local independent redistricting gives voice to communities of color:
“When Californians have a say in the redistricting process, we win fair maps that accurately reflect our increasingly diverse state. At the end of the day, our independent redistricting process proves that when partisan politics are taken out of the equation, we can have a redistricting process that serves all of us, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background. Our democracy belongs to every voter and community-led redistricting is how we ensure our leaders are representative and accountable to the people of California above all,” said José Del Rio III, Money in Politics Program Manager, California Common Cause. 

Regarding local redistricting litigation victories:
“We are thrilled that the results of the litigation means that the people of Baltimore and Prince George’s Counties will be able to vote with fairer, more representative maps. We are grateful for the legal teams and advocates who made these victories possible. We have come a long way, but more work will be necessary to ensure that local jurisdictions in Maryland get it right the first time rather than requiring court intervention,” said Joanne Antoine, Executive Director, Common Cause Maryland. 

Regarding the example local redistricting sets for statewide and congressional redistricting:
“Hoosiers recognize that legislative-controlled redistricting will always focus on partisan politics. If we want districts that serve the voters and communities, we’ve got to put a community-led commission in charge. State leaders should take note that this diverse and growing movement for independent redistricting won’t stop until we see fair maps at every level of Indiana government,” said Julia Vaughn, Executive Director, Common Cause Indiana.