A political scientist at Illinois Wesleyan University says he hopes McLean County's redistricting commission will draw maps that will keep neighborhoods, communities and voting precincts together.
Greg Shaw and Illinois Wesleyan University said gerrymandered districts have protected incumbents, even in county government.
“This is where citizens can come in and say ‘I can see a non-compact district when I see it,’ I think we should take that seriously,” Shaw said.
The county plans to name a bipartisan commission next week after the county held hearings regarding the number of County Board districts. The County Board ultimately decided to keep the current 10-district format and two members per district. The panel will draft three proposed maps for the County Board to consider in July.
Shaw noted only one of 10 districts has one Republican and one Democrat on the County Board. Chair John McIntyre, a Republican, and Elizabeth Johnston, a Democrat, both represent District 5 which covers parts of Normal.
Shaw said the current County Board maps don’t follow requirements for keeping municipalities and voting precincts intact.
“You are not supposed to split precincts but in fact that happens on our County Board,” Shaw said. “There’s a problem (with) that because that’s a sign that there is intentionality about drawing lines that potentially disenfranchise interests.”
McIntyre said last week the advisory panel's charge would be to create maps with districts that are compact, contiguous and nearly equal in size. He said the commission should divide municipalities and townships “only when necessary to conform to the population requirement.” He added the maps also should not split precincts.
Republicans have argued that Democrats have gerrymandered congressional maps for years to help get more Democrats election to Washington.
Shaw acknowledged “two can play this game” and he said both major parties tend to use their political power to maintain the status quo.
“When you put folks in a room and close the door and give them precinct-level voting data, it’s not hard to generate exactly the kind of electoral outcome you want,” Shaw said. “I think there’s evidence both parties do this when they get the chance.”
Shaw noted 14 states have an independent commission that draws legislative maps for their states.
Shaw added he welcomes more public input into the county's mapmaking process, but he said the public hearings the county held before the county new any maps likely had little value.
"This is so inside baseball for most people and for them to come to the table and offer public comment on something that is really esoteric, in a situation where we don't have a map yet seems to be like putting cart before horse," Shaw said.
Shaw is married to Bloomington City Council member Mollie Ward. City council members in Bloomington run in nonpartisan races.
