Smith to serve as adviser to Lake County Redistricting Commission

INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary) will serve as one of four state legislators who act as nonvoting advisers to the Lake County Redistricting Commission as they set Lake County commissioner and council districts for the next ten years. The commission's first meeting will be held on Friday, December 10, 2021.

Smith previously expressed frustration at the lack of public meetings held in Lake County during the statewide redistricting process earlier this summer and the state's continued involvement in local issues. 

“I am concerned that the state treats Lake County like a child,” Smith said.

“Lake County is no longer able to elect its own judges and the state now believes we are either too dumb or too corrupt to draw our own maps. Neither of these is the case.

“I am glad to serve on the Lake County Redistricting Commission and to provide input on the process.”

The details for the public meeting of the Lake County Redistricting Commission are as follows:

WHO: Lake County Redistricting Commission

WHAT: public meeting to hear public testimony and discuss new redistricting proposal

WHEN: Friday, December 10, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. (CT)

WHERE: County Commissioners Court room, 2293 N Main St, Crown Point, IN 46307

Earlier this week, the commission called for the public to attend the meeting on December 10 to provide public testimony and to submit their own proposal for Lake County's new districts.

All proposed maps should be submitted in electronic format and be accompanied by census population data, which can be requested from the Lake County Board of Elections and Voter Registration or by emailing [email protected], along with a written explanation of how the drawer determined the new districts. The submission deadline is Monday, November 29, 2021 at 11 a.m. (CT).