FROM THE N.C. CENTER FOR VOTER EDUCATION
RALEIGH – A broad coalition of North Carolina nonprofit organizations announced today the formation of North Carolinians for Redistricting Reform, dedicated to ensuring the redistricting process is open, fair and includes significant public input.

The coalition consists of organizations representing varying ideologies across the political spectrum, but who ultimately believe that the responsibility for redistricting should rest with an independent body, not the state legislature.

North Carolinians for Redistricting Reform is advocating for a constitutional amendment that would require an independent commission, governed by a firmly established set of criteria, to handle redistricting. The coalition believes that a constitutional amendment should go before the voters in 2012 so an independent commission can begin its work with the next round of redistricting.

“We need to reform the way North Carolina draws its legislative districts,” said Damon Circosta, executive director of the N.C. Center for Voter Education. “To paraphrase the late Senator Ham Horton, we need to get away from a system where legislators choose their voters, instead of voters choosing their legislators.”

“Our political districts should be compact, competitive and respectful of local communities,” said John Hood, president of the John Locke Foundation. “That will make it more likely North Carolina voters know who their representatives are and can hold them accountable in future elections.”

“We believe the redistricting process should be transparent and provide a meaningful opportunity for the public to participate,” added Bill Wilson, associate state director with AARP North Carolina.

About North Carolinians for Redistricting Reform
The North Carolinians for Redistricting Reform coalition is comprised of several nonprofit organizations advocating for an independent commission to be responsible for redistricting in North Carolina. Coalition members include: AARP North Carolina, the ACLU of North Carolina, Common Cause North Carolina, the John Locke Foundation, the League of Women Voters of North Carolina, the N.C. Center for Voter Education, the N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law, the N.C. League of Conservation Voters and N.C. Policy Watch.

Online: http://ncredistrictingreform.com
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