NEW: Doherty Wants Fair Redistricting Plan
Monday, December 12, 2011
The Doherty for Congress Campaign today called on members of the State Reapportionment Commission and the Rhode Island General Assembly to ensure that the final redistricting plan treats candidates for public office and the voters of Rhode Island in a fair and responsible manner. While acknowledging that the redistricting process is by its nature a political exercise, the Campaign nonetheless urged the Commission and the Assembly to reject any plan that would cause dramatic changes to the political landscape or threaten to disenfranchise Rhode Island voters when small adjustments are all that are required.
“Rhode Islanders have a right to cast meaningful votes in local, state and federal elections and we expect our redistricting process to uphold that right,” commented Brendan Doherty, candidate for U.S. Representative from Rhode Island’s first Congressional district. “Members of the Reapportionment Commission and other public officials have already spoken out against proposed redistricting plans that would relocate tens of thousands of residents between Rhode Island’s Congressional districts when only small adjustments are required,” continued Doherty. “These proposals ignore the requirement to consider the historical boundaries of the Congressional districts and fail to recognize communities of interest. Statutory and judicial requirements impose limits on the political upheaval that is permitted as a result of gerrymandering and Rhode Islanders deserve a redistricting process that considers those requirements ahead of the political gain of any one candidate,” concluded Doherty.
Various proposals before the Reapportionment Commission would relocate a number of cities and towns including Cumberland, Burrilville, North Smithfield, Jamestown, and Tiverton, along with Aquidneck Island from the first to the second Congressional district. Additionally, as indicated by former State Representative and Deputy Secretary of State Ray Rickman, proposals to modify the Congressional district boundary within the City of Providence would further divide neighborhoods and neglect the opportunity to unify the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood into a single district. Sometimes the best solution is the simple one. The Doherty for Congress Campaign urges the Commission to respect the numerous public comments to this effect and to take a just and responsible approach to redistricting.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTEditor's Note: The orginal version of this piece said Ray Rickman had served as Secretary of State when in fact, he was Deputy Secretary of State.
