Time series data on two reform proposals --Charlie Leonard, Paul Simon Institute visiting professor – April 30, 2013, Springfield, IL

1. Illinois Voters and Remap Reform
Time series data on two reform
proposals
--Charlie Leonard, Paul Simon Institute visiting professor – April 30, 2013, Springfield, IL

2. Current Law
• Districts must be “compact and contiguous”

3. Current Law
• Districts must be “compact and contiguous”
– “Contiguous” is precise; “compact” is not

4. Current Law
• Districts must be “compact and contiguous”
– “Contiguous” is precise; “compact” is not
• 24 states include language about preserving
“communities of interest.” Illinois does not.

5. Current Law
• Districts must be “compact and contiguous”
– “Contiguous” is precise; “compact” is not
• 24 states include language about preserving
“communities of interest.” Illinois does not.
• In “safe” districts, incumbents worry about
primary, not general election challenges

6. Current Law
• Districts must be “compact and contiguous”
– “Contiguous” is precise; “compact” is not
• 24 states include language about preserving
“communities of interest.” Illinois does not.
• In “safe” districts, incumbents worry about
primary, not general election challenges
– Primary voters more partisan and ideologically
extreme than general election voters

7. Current System
• If Legislature can’t agree on a map

8. Current System
• If Legislature can’t agree on a map
– Eight-member redistricting commission

9. Current System
• If Legislature can’t agree on a map
– Eight-member redistricting commission
– If partisan tie, draw winning party from a hat

10. Current System
• If Legislature can’t agree on a map
– Eight-member redistricting commission
– If partisan tie, draw winning party from a hat
• Encourages parties to draw most partisan,
advantageous map possible—why
compromise?

11. Reform 1: Neutral Commissioner
• In case of partisan tie on redistricting
commission, have the Supreme Court appoint
a neutral member to break tie

12. Reform 1: Neutral Commissioner
• In case of partisan tie on redistricting
commission, have the Supreme Court appoint
a neutral member to break tie
– Simon Poll has been testing this reform since ‘09

14. Reform 1: Neutral Commissioner

15. Reform 1: Neutral Commissioner

16. Reform 2: Independent Panel
• Have an independent panel draw redistricting
map for legislature and governor to approve
– Simon Poll has been testing this reform since 2010

18. Reform 2: Independent Panel

19. Reform 2: Independent Panel

20. Conclusion
• Both reforms enjoy strong support over time
• Intensity of support growing
• Support for both remains strong among
regional and partisan subgroups