League urging transparency for Valparaiso redistricting
Valparaiso residents are encouraged to attend a Thursday public forum on local redistricting — which will explain the population formula and impact on election voting precincts — sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Porter County and Common Cause Indiana.
A key vote by the Valparaiso City Council, the opportunity for public input and an end-of-theyear deadline are all approaching.
The “Draw the Line Valparaiso” forum will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Valparaiso High School accessed by using the Door 1 entrance at the school.
The proposed redistricting plan for Valparaiso, guided by a consulting firm and committee comprised of select Valparaiso City Council members, has been a subject of heated debate in recent months. At its Oct. 10 meeting, Barbara Domer, a member of the League of Women Voters of Porter
County, spoke once again during the public comment portion of the meeting urging Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy and the city council members “for transparency” during the redistricting process.
Under current law, any redistricting must be approved by the City Council, be subject to a public hearing, and must be finalized by Dec. 31, 2022.
“I submitted comments today (Monday) by the noon deadline
for written comments and public objections about the proposed redistricting guidelines and Resolution No. 15 2022,” Domer said.
“Upon review of the current precinct boundary lines, I have noted an imbalance in the population distribution in approximately half of the precincts. This results in the precincts being above a 10% population deviation. There must be a fair voting map. I reviewed the information kit being offered to the public and was very disappointed. I offered to meet with the coordinators to provide them with the public’s criteria to be considered when drawing the maps but was met with no response.”
Following Monday’s council meeting, Valparaiso City Attorney Patrick Lyp said in an email he was “bothered by Domer’s remarks.”
“I was surprised by some of the comments offered by Ms. Domer, a member of the League of Women Voters redistricting committee,” Lyp said.
“At the last council meeting, Ms. Domer commented that the Council Resolution was ‘welcome news’ and ‘appears to address transparency and provide for inclusion for public input at a public meeting.’ Nothing changed in the City process between the last two meetings and the Council will continue its inclusive, public, and nonpartisan approach.”
Council President Casey Schmidt, R-3rd District, and Council Vice President Diana Reed, D-1st District, are among the members of the redistricting committee working with the consulting firm and Lyp.
“The City Council has been very open and transparent in its redistricting process,” Lyp said.
“A detailed resolution outlining the process was adopted at its Sept. 26 meeting and a folder with comprehensive redistricting material was compiled and made available at City Hall to anyone interested. The City Council will conduct a public hearing on Oct. 24 with two follow up public meetings scheduled in November. I can share that Council President Casey Schmidt and Council Vice President Diana Reed have been working with the redistricting consultant, city staff, and fellow council members to have draft maps prepared by Oct. 19 for public review.”