Sen. Walker, members of the Senate Election Committee, thank you for the opportunity to share a few words today concerning redistricting reform and SB326. I am Debbie Asberry. I serve as State Advocate for the LWVIN and I am also a board member of our local Indianapolis chapter. The LWVIN is a member of the Indiana Coalition for Independent Redistricting. Other members of our coalition who are not testifying today but support SB326 include the HEC and Enterprise Republicans

The LWV is a non-partisan political organization dedicated to supporting democracy, voter rights and voter protections. As such, we do not support any candidate or party. The League is the oldest legacy organization of the suffrage movement—we are 96 years old and anticipating celebrating our centennial in 2020. Our organization has its roots in the abolitionist movement. Our deep story is one of protecting the rights of voters, and ensuring that voters are well informed and have equal opportunity to exercise their constitutional rights as citizens of this democracy.

We do not come to our positions lightly. Before the League takes a stand on an issue, it studies that issue in depth and strives for consensus among our members before adopting a position. I served on a national task force studying redistricting practices within the United States for 2 years. After several years of study involving experts from across the country, the LWVUS adopted a new position on redistricting at the 2016 National Convention. I would like to share with the committee the fruits of this arduous and in-depth study. Our national position states that we believe the responsibility for redistricting should be vested in an independent special commission with membership that reflects the diversity of the unit of government, including citizens at large, representatives of public interest groups and members of minority groups. Our position has clear guidelines for how the process should proceed –the process should be transparent, have public hearings in an open and unbiased manner. Our position is clear on the standards in which a plan should be based including:

being enforceable in court

having substantially equal population,

geographic contiguity

effective representation of racial and linguistic minorities

and provides for (to the extent possible) promotion of partisan fairness, preservation of communities of interest and respect for boundaries of municipalities and counties.

We believe that compactness and competitiveness may also be considered as long as they do not conflict with the above criteria. And we most explicitly reject protection of incumbents and preferential treatment of a political party.

In light of our national position, the LWV of Indiana supports SB326 as a path forward toward reforming the current practice of redistricting as it exists within the state of Indiana. We believe adopting more rigorous guidelinesis a step in the right direction. Our ideal solution would involve the establishment of a citizen led redistricting commission. However, we are well aware that incremental steps can be important first steps. It took our fore mothers more than 70 years to win suffrage for women, so patience and perseverance are in our DNA.

Sen. Walker, we thank you for your leadership in this issue. It has been said that perfect is the enemy of good. SB326 is a good bill. It moves the needle on important reform. The LWV urges the committee to pass this bill so that the citizens of Indiana can feel more confident that district maps are drawn to favor democracy and the rights of every voter.

Thank you.