WHEREAS, fairly drawn congressional and state legislative districts are critical to having a well functioning democracy; and,
WHEREAS, allowing the party in power to gerrymander congressional and state legislative districts that will be in effect for the next ten years interfering with the intent of the democratic process; and,
WHEREAS, as a result of partisan redistricting Indiana has no competitive Congressional seats and only a handful of competitive state legislative seats; and,
WHEREAS, Indiana consistently has one of the lowest voter turnout in the nation; and,
WHEREAS, competitive elections lead to higher voter turnout, which ought to be a goal in any democracy; and,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana State AFL-CIO calls for and will fully support legislation to create a non-partisan independent congressional and state legislative redistricting commission that excludes partisan considerations from the process; and,
AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Indiana State AFL-CIO will work towards the goal to have such a system in place and functioning by the time of the redistricting that will occur as a result of the 2020 census.
Submitted by: Tony Flora, Vice President, Indiana State AFL-CIO, NALC