Dr. Ivory Torrey Thigpen

As we prepare for debate on the Senate floor about the proposed redistricting of congressional maps I want share my position and encourage you to share yours with me. I believe the way this is being handled is just wrong. With voting already underway, there is no justification for forcing these changes through and invalidating the 1000s of votes that have already been cast for congressional candidates across the state. It’s just that simple, our right to vote and the sanctity of that ballot is the foundation of our democracy and should be protected no matter what. There are plenty of other reasons to dislike this process. we’re spending days instead of months reviewing proposed maps, Republicans who are pushing this through have made it impossible for any real public input, or even input from your own elected officials, to be truly heard, and we are working with six year old data that is no longer reflective of the population of our communities. Today, I and my colleagues will continue our efforts to stand up for what’s right. We will stand up for fair elections and good government. But in the end you have the power to make sure this doesn’t happen in the future. No matter what the outcome of this discussion over the next week be sure to get out and vote in primaries and in November. That’s how we build a better state and a better nation.