TANNER BILL SEEKS TO END GERRYMANDERING
Voters' Rights Groups Endorse Bill at Party
for Elbridge Gerry's 261st Birthday

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. John Tanner joined other redistricting reform advocates to recognize the birthday of Elbridge Gerry. Gerry, who would have turned 261 on July 17, is the father of gerrymandering, the process of drawing Congressional districts for partisan gain. Tanner has introduced legislation that seeks to end the partisanship that he says has “hijacked the political system and threatens the work of the House of Representatives.”

The “Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act” (HR 2642) calls for an independent, bipartisan commission in each state to redraw Congressional district maps every 10 years and restricts redistricting efforts from taking place between census cycles.

“In too many cases, partisan politicians are using the redistricting system for their own gain,” Tanner said. “The result is less-competitive Congressional elections, leading to a partisan polarization that does not allow for open dialogue and fair compromise. The American people will benefit from a more competitive election process.”

Tanner noted that while the 2004 presidential election was one of the most competitive in history, 95% of incumbent House candidates retained their seats, partly because their districts had been drawn to eliminate competition.

“There was higher turnover in the Soviet Politburo, which does not bode well for our own political process,” Tanner said. “Many U.S. politicians no longer feel the need to work cooperatively with those in other parties. The political center – which is where most Americans find themselves aligned – is shrinking, paving the way for further polarized extremism.”

Under Tanner’s legislation, each state would establish an independent redistricting commission of at least five members to draw that state’s Congressional district map exactly once every 10 years. Majority and minority party leaders in the state legislature would appoint an even number of commissioners, who would then elect an additional commissioner to serve as the panel’s chair. Commissioners could not be recently active in politics and would be ineligible to run for a U.S. House seat in the state for 10 years.

The redistricting commission would be required to consider the rights established by the Constitution and Voting Rights Act, as well as population and geography of each district but would not be allowed to consider political issues such as voting history, party affiliation or the potential impact on a sitting incumbent. The commission’s report must be approved or disapproved by the Governor and the state legislature without amendment. These provisions would serve as minimum standards, but states would have the option to adopt stricter guidelines. 

- Support Growing for Tanner Bill -

There are currently 32 bipartisan co-sponsors of the “Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act,” which has also received considerable support from newspaper editorial boards and outside groups that encourage a more accountable government. FairVote – The Center for Voting and Democracy; Public Citizen; and Common Cause have all expressed their support for the legislation.

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Contact: Randy Ford, 202.225.4714