Representative’s Eldridge and Atkins Co-sponsor
Fair Redistricting Legislation

BOSTON (January 13, 2005) – In a bid to end the excesses of political gerrymandering, a coalition of advocacy groups and 56 legislative cosponsors, including Representative James B. Eldridge (D-Acton) and Representative Cory Atkins (D-Concord),  have filed legislation that would create an independent commission to oversee the redistricting process. Along with the creation of the independent commission, the legislation calls for more stringent guidelines to direct the redrawing of electoral boundaries. Supporters appeared last week at a Beacon Hill news conference touting the proposal.
 
“I am extremely proud to be a part of a proposal to help erase political biases in the redistricting process” said Representative Eldridge.  “This legislation will allow for a fairer redistricting process, both for legislators and the general public, and will help restore faith in the political process in Massachusetts.  The public voice and representation in the House and Senate will be stronger and more accurate as a result of this legislation.”

“This is going to be helpful to both voters and elected officials alike” said Representative Atkins.  “For the first time the entire process will be open and accessible to everyone.”

Over the past few years, gerrymandering has grabbed headlines in many states.  In 2003, Texas legislators fled the state, rather than be forced to vote on Representative Tom DeLay's plan that handed districts over to Republicans, even though the state had redistricted only two years prior.  Here in Massachusetts, former House Speaker Thomas Finneran is at the center of an on-going federal grand jury probe for allegedly lying under oath about his role in the creation of racially gerrymandered legislative districts in Boston.  Those districts were thrown out last year by a federal district court for violating the Federal Voting Rights Act.  The courts also rejected a Massachusetts redistricting plan in 1987. 

The advocacy coalition includes Common Cause Massachusetts, the League of Women Voters Massachusetts, the NAACP New England Regional Conference, MassVOTE, and Mass Voters for Fair Elections. In addition fifty-six legislators from the House and Senate – including both Republicans and Democrats – have signed onto this legislation as co-sponsors.

“Creating open and fair districts for the citizens of the Commonwealth is the right reform at the right time. We are very proud to have both Rep. Atkins and Rep. Eldridge on as co-sponsors of this important reform. Their support shows true commitment to the voters of this state” said Pamela Wilmot, executive director of Common Cause Massachusetts.