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Map Quest

Outgoing City-County Council President Ryan Vaughn has unveiled his new proposed council district maps.  By law new maps must be redrawn every ten years in accordance with the census.  The move has been controversial as Democrats have complained Vaughn exceeded his authority in drawing the new maps and he should not have contracted with Election attorney David Brooks to do the work.

Vaughn says he was within his authority to do the new maps.  He says the new maps create an even number of safe Republican and Democratic districts, protect minority representation and create about a half dozen competitive district while meeting state and federal requirements of keeping together communities of interest and compactness.

The maps are embedded below…

New Council Maps

New Precinct Maps

Old Council Maps

Vaughn plans to hold four public hearings on the maps and a vote could come at the December 19th City-Council Meeting.    The meeting times are listed below.

November 28th 6-8pm
Wayne Township Fire Headquarters, 700 N. High School Rd. (2nd floor classroom A) (Elevator is available).

December 1st 6-8pm
John Boner Center, 2236 East 10th Street.

December 6th 6-8pm
Sterrett Center, 8950 Otis Avenue.

December 8th 6-8pm
City County Building, Public Assembly Room.

Posted: 11|23|11 at 3:09 pm by Abdul Hakim-Shabazz
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  • Ramon

    Ryan Vaughn never decides to do anything.  Someone told him to do this but it won’t matter as it will end up in court and Vaughn will lose.

  • Think Again

    The maps were drawn completely in private and without public input.  They want public input now?  Isn’t that disingenuous?  

    Cart, meet horse.

    Untl this precarious move, I’d always respected Ryan Vaughn.  Not anty more.  It’s as cheesy and hack as you can get.  And it didn’t come cheaply.  This from the same council whose majority told us we couldn’t have satellite voting?

    This will not stand.  It must not stand.

  • Anonymous

    Until now, YOU respected Ryan Vaughn.  Talk about Cart, meet horse. 

    What does a city council person have to do for NOT to respect them? 

    The guy refused to recuse himself in a blatant conflict of interest, on a 15-14 vote foisting a 50-year parking contract with a poorly-rated vendor upon our city.

    I have to give pep talks to Democrats on how to stand-up against corrupt Republicans?

    Take me, Jesus. 

  • pascal

    Go to a public meeting without some sort of plan to talk about and talk is all that will ensue.  The Legislative Maps, for instance, were altered after discussion (even if no one seems to be able to view them).

  • Rico

    You’ve been trashing Vaughn on here for months.  That’s your definition of respect?

  • Indyernie

    If they are balanced R v D, and meet all criteria then
    I don’t see a problem. If there are serious issues the courts will order
    changes….what’s the BIG deal?

  • Think Again

    What public meeting?  Where?  When?  

    Rico: I’ve respected his leadership. Being council president over that gang of 29 goofs is difficult.  I respected Dr. SerVaas’s leadership, even if his votes bothered me.  Same with Ryan.

    Leadership is tough.  Not sure you quite get that.

  • Think Again

    Private.  The maps were drawn by a Republican cronie that even YOU have trashed here and elsewhere, on a quarter-million contract that had zero public notice and debate.

    If that doesn’t outrage you, you’re a fool. And a hypocrite.

  • pascal

    Not to mention, an overpriced contract given away-a large waste of taxpayer dollars almost amounting to theft.  The R fig leaf barely covers this piece of nastiness.

  • pascal

    Of course, were there any faint possibility of wrongdoing we are sure that TA’s bud, Mr. Curry, would be Johnny on the Spot, riding his White Horse to the rescue of the public.  According to Mr. Ogden’s blog (I think he is also a lawyer) software makes these tasks child’s play and little expense is required to do first rate work.
         I’m curious if Mr. V actually made a valid contract or was his doing what he did Ultra Vires?  If not, what do we need the rest of the Council for?

  • Scooter

    The party in power draws that maps following the census.

    That’s the way the game is played, no?   Can’t change the rules just because you ain’t happy with the outcome.

  • http://twitter.com/IndyStudent Matthew Stone

    Swing and a miss, Scooter. It is, in fact, the council GOP that is trying to change the rules during the lame duck months before they become the minority.

    I.C. 36-3-4-3(a)
    Sec. 3. (a) The city-county legislative body shall, by ordinance, divide the whole county into twenty-five (25) districts that:
    (1)
    are compact, subject only to natural boundary lines (such as railroads,
    major highways, rivers, creeks, parks, and major industrial complexes);
    (2) contain, as nearly as is possible, equal population; and
    (3) do not cross precinct boundary lines.
    This
    division shall be made during the second year after a year in which a
    federal decennial census is conducted and may also be made at any other
    time, subject to IC 3-11-1.5-32.

    2010+2=2012.

    And IC 3-11-1.5-32 specifically prohibits redistricting after November 8th when a municipal election is held.

  • Steved608

    Wow. Actual facts for a change on here, hard to argue against that.

    Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

  • Scooter

    Thanks! That’s great info.

  • Ramon

    I appreciate that info.  I am confused on where the redrawing of precincts fits into this.  Does that have to be done before the remapping?   Who has to approve the new precinct boundaries?  Does the approval of the new precinct boundaries have to be unanimous and is that by the county election board or the state election board?  If my rusty mind serves me correctly, Peterson had to submit his consolidation of precincts to the state election board.  Matt,  you seem to be the expert here.  Help me out!

  • Think Again

    Now THAT’S a damned good question, especially considering the combined IQ of the elected body.  Present and newly-elected.

  • Think Again

    We all forget the last time this was done–it was in this political and legal environment:

    The (Repubican) council had tried to rush the maps, and the Dems balked.  The republican Clerk and Election Board had just tried to alter the actual ballot for the municipal elections…I don’t remember the specifics, but the Dems quickly took it to court.  It was in the court of Superior Judge Bradford, whose brother was on the council.  The judge refused to withdraw because of familial conflict.  He ruled for the GOP.  The Dems appealed and within a few days the ballot question was quickly reversed by the higher court, with a mild rebuke to Judge Bradford.  His reward?  A seat on that appeals court.

    The council district lines were argued until the appeals court took to the task themselves, using cheap software and common sense.  In the ensuing decade, the council control flipped three times–each time narrowly.  Neighborhoods stayed intact within a realtively-compact district.  That tells me the judges did a good, quick, cheap job.  SO it can be done.

    Mr. Vaughn’s map was drawn in haste by a Republican lawyer-hack, for a quarter million of our hard-earned tax dollars, with zero public input, and Irvington, Broad Ripple, and at least four other predominantly independent-Dem neighborhoods were split up–sometimes into 3 or 4 council districts.

    It was a bald-faced arrogant move that cannot stand.  It won’t.  The folks on here who typically argue against the strong-arm tactics of former president Monroe Gray, had ought to closely examine their motives and consistency.  They were right then.  That view is correct today, too.

  • http://twitter.com/IndyStudent Matthew Stone

    Ramon, I largely rely on my lawyer friends. State code is available online, but sometimes it takes a lawyer to shift through it all.

    To my knowledge and what I’ve been told (I can’t cite Code in this instance), precinct redrawing is done by the Mayor, while council districts are drawn by the council. Precinct redrawing can be (though doesn’t have to be) redrawn in 2011. To the best of my knowledge, precinct redrawing is an exclusive power of the mayor and doesn’t have to be approved by any other body.

    Basically, the precint redrawing can be done this year, but council districts have to wait until at least next year. 

  • Indyernie

    When did I trash Brooks? I think all I stated is that
    he and I aren’t friendly and that on an occasion we had a difference of
    opinion. That doesn’t mean that I thinks he should be trashed. Besides someone
    had to do the work…..would you feel better if Ice Miller had laid out the maps?

  • Indyernie

    Curry has already dropped the ball with a double
    murderer AND he isn’t following up on his pledge to prosecute election law violations….do
    you really think he could get this job right?

  • Indyernie

    The new at larges alone have dumb down the average IQ by fifty points….with Sweetpea and Brown on the CCC can we really afford that kind of drop?

  • Abdul

    We can argue CCC boundaries, however state law mandated the precints be redrawn to fit new statehouse and congressional maps and it had to be done before Dec 31.  And unless you can find a Voting Rights Act challenge, the maps will likely withstand a court challenge.  

  • Abdul

    “precincts”.

  • Think Again

    You’re kidding, right?

  • Think Again

    I doubt anyone’s going to fight precinct boundaries.  That never was the fight. It’s district maps, Abdul.  

    Again, I say: compact districts, allied interests areas….and now Irvington is in three different districts.  Perfect.

    Maybe Ryan is one Republican who can rightfully hang the “Mission Accomplished” banner.

  • Ramon

    The last time for the precinct maps was when Peterson wanted institute some efficiency into the process and eliminated or combined precincts.  I think we went from 900+ precincts to 500+. There was some disagreement and I thought the state election board was involved.  Maybe that was because it involved the reduction of precincts.  If the truth be told,  there could still be some reductions and more money could be saved particularly if the GOP would stop blocking satellitte voting centers and early voting.

  • pascal

    So, going from 500 or 600 precincts to something like 200 or 300 could easily be accomplished?  Neither Party seems to fill those ranks via elections anyway.

  • Ramon

    Not a lawyer but I am being told that the state election board must approve…….Pascal,  I think reducing to 200 or 300 precincts might be a little ambitous but maybe another 100 could be reduced.  That would be if the GOP would quit blocking early voting/satellite voting centers which most of the country is either using or preparing to use.

  • Think Again

    And once more Ramon hits a home run.  Completely correct.  We could probably easily go to 350-400 precincts.  Unless we approach 60% participation, there isn’t going to be a run on current precincts, size-wise.  It won’t overwhelm the precinct boards.

    And Abdul, the maps do not have to be done by Dec. 31.  In fact, they can take their time.  We don’t have another municipal election for four years.  Thank God.

  • pascal

    Uh, TA, I think the prosecutor is your choice, selected, no doubt for his demonstrated ability to sit on his hands for long periods of time transformiing them into feeler gauges.  Of course, I make no claim that the R fellow would do any differently against a fellow R even though the R fellow was touted as having some integrity-a claim muted, perhaps in the case of Mr. Curry?

  • Indyernie

    No!

  • Indyernie

    You won’t see Satellite Voting Centers as long as Beth
    White treats then like Democrat Social Clubs. Want SVC’s get your girl in
    check.

  • Think Again

    Not at all.  Mr Curry is a damned sight better than his predecessor.  We don’t know all the facts in the cases you’ve cited….but I’m up for asking.

    Every day we’re Brizzi-less is a better day for justice.

  • Think Again

    Ramon you’re killing me here with your spot-on posts.

    I’ve been involved in local elections since 1978.  We can easily lose another 50-100 precincts. Beyond that, you’ve got some real issues.  If we had satellite voting and other regional-center type of voting, it might be even easier.

    And we’re starting to see some schools balk at hosting election voting.  The reason:  School security.  They want a tighter control on who enters/exits their buildings.  Many more schools now lock their doors throughout the school day and you’ve got to buzz in or be seen to be let in the door.

  • Think Again

    “Get your girl in check?”

    You may not believe this, but I doubt that anyone of substance in the election-decision process is waiting with baied breath on your sexist, idiotic opinions.

    Do you have any daughters?  If so, how do they tolerate your boorish attitude?  

  • Pogden297

    TA, actually after seeing Curry in office, I’m not sure of that.  The Omnisource settlement was nothing more than a payoff to not prosecute someone for a felony.  And civil forfeiture is out of control under Curry. Curry is using it for EVERYTHING.  Polilce officers are grabbing everything they can carry, regardless of whether there is a crime. Then they try to keep it via civil forfeiture.  At least Brizzi pretty much kept forfeiture confined to drug crimes.

  • Pogden297

    What we need to do is to go to vote centers so that precinct size no longer is that important.  They are artificially changing precinct size because of the labor involved with all the precinct-based voting sites. It’s a terrible way of addressing the problem.  There are bad consequences involved in making precints too large.

  • Pogden297

    The law says the council districts maps SHALL be drawn in 2012.  Not sure how you get around that. SHALL is not a discretionary word.

  • Pogden297

    You’re confusing early voting with election day voting centers.  Two different things.

  • Ramon

    Then you must agree that Vaughn paying almost a quarter of a million dollars for the maps to be redrawn in 2011 doesn’t adhere to the law.    The maps have been released and are horrible.  They do not observe any communities of interest and look like eels in many places.  I cannot help but believe they will not get approved and if they do that the courts will throw them out.

  • Ramon

    I agree that precinct boundaries problem would not rile many people.  TA is correct that schools would prefer that they not be used for voting sites.  Security has become a number one issue and by using them as voting sites really opens them up for potential problems on election days.

  • Think Again

    I’ll ask around, Paul…but I knowk this” Mr. Curry has much-classier friends.  He doesn’t hang around with thieving millionaires on South beach.  Who steal from retirees.

  • Think Again

    And there you have it.   It was a raw power grab.  Done in private.  A quarter-mil gone, to a political hack.  

  • Think Again

    Uh, no I’m not.

    I want both.

    And more.

  • pascal

    Not cases.  Just the $250,000.00 that seems very ripe and perhaps due some oversight.  It isn’t polite to call someone a hack when they have $250,000.00 one day that they didn’t the previous one.  They are wealthy insiders.  Hacks generally have no money.

  • Ramon

    Indyernie,    there are no requirements that the districts are to be drawn balanced R v D.   In fact,  if you adhere to the other legally required directions then in many cases you can not balance them R v D.   The current were drawn by the courts quite well and yet there are many districts that are not balanced R v D.

  • Think Again

    That’s a decent point–but Republicans seem to take much better care of their hacks than Democrats.  Just my observation over time.

    Maybe they’re higiher-class hacks.  

    I asked a good friend today, who was involved in the last council maps, exactly how the appeals judges did their brilliant work.  He told me it was a readily-available $400 computer program.  And this was a decade ago.

    Amazing, isn’t it?   bipartisna group of (nearly-lifetime) judges works a few days with a software program and designs a map that is so close politically, that every subsequent council election saw a switch in power by a narrow margin.

    As for Messrs. Brooks and Vaughn: we was robbed.

  • Rico

    ……especially in Center Township.

  • Rico

    …yet you’ll fight to your death the violation of rights of simply requiring a voter to prove who he/she is. Until you outgrow that idiocy, how could one consider YOUR opinion on elections of any subtance?

  • Think Again

    Oh, Rico, shut up

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