Imani Oakley Criticizes NJ Redistricting Commission for Lack of Transparency

Montclair, NJ — Imani Oakley, progressive candidate for Congress in NJ’s 10th Congressional District, condemned New Jersey’s Redistricting Commission for failing to release their proposed maps or accept public input before voting on final lines.

“Nearly two dozen organizations asked the Commission to release its proposed maps before voting and to allow for public comment,” Oakley said. “Instead, they are completely ignoring the public and doubling down on the backroom dealing that has hurt New Jersey so much in the past.”

The Redistricting Commission — which is made up of entrenched Republican and Democratic operatives (including a sitting State Senator) — has until January 18th to finalize their congressional map proposals. Instead, they announced Monday that they would be voting on the final proposal this Wednesday at 10:30 am in Trenton.

During the ten scheduled public hearings, the Redistricting Commission heard from dozens of residents and organizations asking for a chance to see the final maps before the commission voted.

In addition to criticizing the Redistricting Commission, Oakley also pointed out her opponent’s
inaction and lack of advocacy on the subject.

“With his own constituents at risk during the redistricting process, Payne Jr. has been noticeably absent,” Oakley said. “There’s a genuine threat of Black communities of interest being split up – especially in Southern Montclair. Yet if you look to Donald Payne Jr., you’d never know anything was wrong: who’s side is Donald Payne Jr. on? ”
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Imani Oakley is a long-time political organizer and pro-democracy activist running for Congress in New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District. The seat covers parts of Essex, Union, and Hudson counties. Her time working in New Jersey political spaces has made one thing clear: our state suffers from rabid corruption. Her campaign is dedicated to ending this system and lifting up working-class communities.