Evansville, IN – The Vanderburgh County Republican Party is calling attention to the flawed and deliberately secretive redistricting process carried out by the Evansville City Council. While redistricting is required after the census, it was the process chosen by Democrat leadership, not the census itself that failed our city. The city spent $30,000 of taxpayer money on a consultant whose contract included hosting public hearings for residents to review and comment on proposed district maps. City council leadership refused to hold those hearings and never recouped the portion of taxpayer dollars wasted on the meetings
they chose not to conduct. Even more concerning, the maps were intentionally withheld from conservative members of the council, while some Democrat councilors were permitted to take the maps to their constituents. That selective access speaks for itself. A fair, no-cost map drawn by the Vanderburgh County Surveyor using the same census data and within accepted population-deviation standards was available but ignored. Instead, the council adopted a map that exceeded population limits and disproportionately benefited Democrat incumbents. Several of the councilors now speaking out against redistricting were the ones who gained the
most from the very map they pushed through in secret. Evansville now has a city council with nearly 90% Democrat representation, far out of step with the city’s voter demographics. This imbalance has contributed to policies that burden families already struggling with rising costs. The newly adopted wheel tax, $20 per passenger vehicle and S25 per commercial vehicle pulls in more money from taxpayers than the city lost due to changes in the Community Crossings Grant
formula, yet city officials continue implying the tax was necessary to offset that loss. The Vanderburgh County Republican Party remains committed to a redistricting process that is transparent, equitable, and reflective of the people of Evansville. Our city deserves honest representation,
not partisan maps drawn in the dark.
– Vanderburgh County Republican Party
