The public is invited to a Thursday forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Porter County to discuss the impact of redistricting the geographical boundaries of the Valparaiso City Council seats.
The meeting is scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the community room at Pines Village Retirement Community, 3303 Pines Village Circle in Valparaiso
Valparaiso City Council Member Barbara Domer (D-3), a longtime member of the League will assist with the event, entitled “Draw the Lines Valparaiso.”
“Even before I was elected, I’ve always described myself as an active advocate, including my time serving with the League of Women Voters of Porter County,” Domer said.
Much like a town hall, she said the tradition of a public forum gathering brings residents together to ask questions and share perspectives on key issues.
“I am reaching out to explain the redistricting initiative I have been working on which is to establish an independent citizen-led redistricting commission whose responsibility will be to draw the Valparaiso city council legislative district maps,” Domer said.
“As a member of the League of Women Voters of Porter County, I have been involved in the redistricting process for the past several years. Taking the politicians out of the map drawing process and entrusting the residents of our community with this responsibility will likely create district maps which respect communities/neighborhoods of interest without dividing voters for political gain.”
In 2022, the city entered a contract with the law firm of former speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives Brian Bosma to draw the city district maps.
“The city paid close to $50,000 for this service, while meanwhile residents, including myself, proved we could draw the maps locally and we drew legislative maps for free,” Domer said.
Domer said an independent redistricting commission would establish “the redistricting procedures that are transparent, inclusive and inviting public participation.”
“At the core of this commission’s mission would be to receive public input on how residents want to see their communities drawn,” Domer said.
“I am inviting everyone, including our elected officials, to this upcoming public forum on city council redistricting. Julia Vaughn, Executive Director of Common Cause Indiana, will share information on the process of redistricting with her opening remarks and I will facilitate a discussion on how an independent redistricting commission can work in Valparaiso.”
Vaughn said public comment and input are key to any proposed transition or needed change.
“Putting power in the people’s hands when it comes to drawing city district lines is one of the best ways to ensure effective, responsive government. Rather than letting partisan interests dominate how city council lines are drawn, this approach prioritizes neighborhood voices and community needs,” Vaughn said.
Beckie Guffin, president of the League of Women Voters of Porter County, said redistricting ranks as one of the number one topics the public requests for information and involvement.
“The League of Women Voters have believed for a long time that the redistricting process should be the responsibility of a vested citizens commission,” Guffin said.
“The League believes that the redistricting process can create fair and free maps by opening the process to public scrutiny and input and public submission of maps. We believe that the criteria used to draw district maps must be transparent and available to citizens so they can have confidence the maps are not partisan or unfairly gerrymandered.”
Phil Potempa is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
