Democracy means everyone counts and has equal and fair representation. That’s why Common Cause advocates for reforms to end gerrymandering — the manipulation of election districts for political advantage.

Grassroots activists are preparing to gather signatures in support of a ballot initiative that would take the power to draw congressional and state legislative districts away from legislators, and give it to an independent citizen redistricting commission.

Fair districts mean counting everyone equally, playing by the rules, and having a transparent process. The proposed redistricting reform initiative would establish a new Nevada Independent Redistricting Commission, meant to put the people of Nevada, and not partisan politicians, in charge of the redistricting process.

The new commission would consist of two Democrats, two Republicans, and three voters unaffiliated with either major party. They would be screened to make sure that nobody with a personal or political stake in the drawing of districts becomes a commissioner. That means no elected officials, no lobbyists, no political candidates or operatives, and no employees of the legislature.

And the Nevada Independent Redistricting Commission would be forbidden from drawing districts that advantage a political party – a big change from how party leaders draw the lines today.

The proposal also sets objective rules to prevent manipulation of districts. It adds transparency requirements by mandating that the commission’s work take place in open hearings. The goal is to increase accountability by bringing the redistricting process out in the open.

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