RPA Calls on Board of Apportionment to Conduct Final Public Hearing, Release Maps

Republican Party of Arkansas, Little Rock, Ark. – In a letter sent Tuesday to Board of Apportionment (BOA) members Governor Mike Beebe and Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, Secretary of State Mark Martin requested all members of the BOA be personally present to conduct a final legislative redistricting public hearing on July 25. Furthermore, Secretary Martin asked that any amendments to legislative maps be made public within 48 hours of the final hearing.

“The state Republican Party hopes Democrats Dustin McDaniel and Mike Beebe will fully incorporate these suggestions into their plan for legislative redistricting,” Republican Party of Arkansas Communications Director Katherine Vasilos said. “This would give the public a direct line to those who have a vote on the final maps, and more importantly an opportunity to view amended maps before the Board of Apportionment conducts a vote.”

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel and Governor Mike Beebe have declined to release legislative redistricting maps in recent weeks, citing an exemption under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

“It’s unfortunate Attorney General McDaniel continues to guard his FOIA-exempt maps from public disclosure,” said Vasilos. “From the beginning, our goal has been to advocate a fair and transparent legislative redistricting process for the people of Arkansas. We look forward to a final public hearing where all Board members can talk honestly and openly with the people of Arkansas.”
BACKGROUND
AG McDaniel Still Guarding Maps“Martin is the only Republican member of the board. He and redistricting coordinator Joe Woodson have released some maps, but so far Beebe and McDaniel have released none." (John Lyon, “Martin: Board should take comments directly from public,” Arkansas News Bureau, 6/21/11)

“Some maps are available on the website, but not the ones from the key players, Gov. Mike Beebe and Attorney General Dustin McDaniel.” (Max Brantley, “Monday Thread: Redistricting,” Arkansas Times Blog, 6/20/11)

“According to the letter from McDaniel, draft versions will be made available by 4 p.m. July 19 on the board’s website…It will likely be the first time the public sees maps produced by the attorney general and governor’s offices.” (Sarah D. Wire, “Date set for maps of voting districts,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 6/15/11)

“Beebe and McDaniel have been doing their own work in private and haven't yet proposed any maps for public inspection.” (Max Brantley, “McDaniel calls for redistricting maps,” Arkansas Times Blog, 6/14/11)

“I say all this to show that we really have no idea what is taking place behind the FOI exempt wall of the AG’s office, who has told the ADG repeatedly that they are working on drafts but will not release them.” (Jason Tolbert, “Another Map…But Still Not THE Map,” The Tolbert Report, 5/24/11)

“They [Board of Apportionment] said initial maps are being drawn with a free website called Dave’s Redistricting 2.1 and the final touches of the maps will be done in Autobound, which has a greater level of detail… McDaniel said his office has also been doing rough drafts on the site.” (Sarah D. Wire, “ Site’s free software aiding redistricting,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 5/22/11)

“McDaniel said that his office hasn't completed any drafts and he doesn't plan on releasing any until they're completed. "I'm not going to send over a map that has one third of the state unaccounted for," McDaniel said.” (Andrew Demillo, “Ark. focus shifts to redrawing legislative lines,” Real Clear Politics, 5/24/11)

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