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OKLAHOMA — A coalition of concerned Oklahomans who want to give the power of redistricting to the people is traveling the state in the coming weeks in an effort to end partisan gerrymandering.
People Not Politicians will hold town hall meetings in 10 cities to inform Oklahoma voters of a new ballot initiative to replace current law that allows politicians to draw their own districts. This practice often leads to partisan gerrymandering – a trick politicians use to keep themselves in office.
“Oklahoma has real problems that our politicians have done nothing to fix,” said Andy Moore, executive director of People Not Politicians. “This proposal is an important step to hold politicians accountable so they can focus less on their own political gain and actually start focusing on solving our state’s problems.”
People Not Politicians filed a ballot initiative with the Secretary of State’s office on Oct. 28 calling for transparency in determining the state’s legislative and congressional voting districts. This will be accomplished by establishing a citizen-led independent commission to oversee the process and ensure districts are drawn in a way that is fair and representative of communities, not politicians.
“We are actively looking for Oklahomans from across the state to help get this critical initiative on the ballot in 2020,” said Moore. “Oklahoma is a populist state and Oklahomans are well-aware that our politicians are currently failing us on many fronts. We look forward to meeting with people all over our state who agree that the people will be able to better draw their legislative and congressional districts to represent them, not politicians who only want to get re-elected.”
Tour dates and locations include:
- Nov. 4 – Stillwater @ Stillwater Library (6-8 p.m.)
- Nov. 5 – Lawton @ Great Plains Technology Center (6 – 8 p.m.)
- Nov. 7 – Oklahoma City @ Cole Community Center (6 – 8 p.m.)
- Nov. 11 – Norman @ OU Tom Love Innovation Hub (6 – 8 p.m.)
- Nov. 12 – Woodward @ Woodward Convention Center (6 – 8 p.m.)
- Nov. 14 – Tulsa @ OU-Tulsa (6 – 8 p.m.)
- Nov. 18 – McAlester @ The Meeting Place (6 – 8 p.m.)
- Nov. 19 – Ardmore @ Ardmore Public Library (6 – 8 p.m.
- Nov. 21 – Ada @ Ada Public Library (6 – 8 p.m.)
- Dec. 5 – Enid @ Enid Public Library (5 – 6:30 p.m.)