Common Cause Indiana announced March 9 it has established a nine-member redistricting commission that will host virtual public forums and draw its own map as an alternative to a process that is controlled by the Indianapolis City-County Council.
The commission includes three Republicans, three Democrats and three people not affiliated with either party.
The Indianapolis Citizens Redistricting Commission (ICRC) is based on a similar group Common Cause Indiana put together in 2021 for statewide redistricting.
The group will host its first virtual meeting from 10:30 a.m.-noon March 11. Register here.
ICRC members will urge the council to pass its citizens map. Local redistricting is controlled by Democrats, who have a majority of council seats. Democrats thus far have maintained redrawing districts is the council’s responsibility, though that is disputed. Reform advocates, including Common Cause, have called for an independent commission to lead the process.
ICRC members are as follows:
Republicans:
• Bob Massie, former city-county council member
• Tasha Phelps, small business owner and president of the Washington Township Republican Women’s Club
• Nick Orange, mental health therapist and part-time minister of a church in Noblesville
Democrats:
• Jeff Davis, retiree from Perry Township
• Ashley Hogue, director of Purpose of Life Academy and member of Concerned Clergy
• Kay Kenney, retired nurse
Neither Republican nor Democrat:
• Mat Davis, worker at UPS and founder of the Indiana Racial Justice Alliance
• Andra Liepa, retired human resource professional and member of the League of Women Voters and NETWORK, a Catholic social justice lobby
• Bill Ryerson, retiree who has served on his neighborhood association board for more than 30 years
