Montclair Democrats To Kick Off 12 By 28 Campaign – A Call For Legislature and Governor Mikie Sherrill to Initiate Immediate Congressional Redistricting in New Jersey

Campaign will launch with a virtual rally on Tuesday, June 16

Montclair, NJ — The Montclair Democrats are calling on the New Jersey Legislature and Governor Mikie Sherrill to take immediate action to allow congressional redistricting before the 2030 election cycle, citing growing national concerns over partisan gerrymandering and the erosion of federal voting rights protections.

The campaign effort, called 12 by 28, launched with a public petition this week.  Campaign  supporters are urging state leaders to amend the New Jersey Constitution to suspend the current congressional redistricting timeline and allow voters to reconsider the existing redistricting structure in advance of the 2028 elections.

“Fair representation is not a partisan issue—it is a fundamental principle of our democracy,” said Brendan Gill, Chair of the Montclair Democrats and Essex County Commissioner. “When I ran for Congress, I promised that regardless of the outcome, I would still be here fighting for the people who live in the state I grew up in and love. That commitment did not end on Election Day. I am proud to support this effort to redistrict because working families, communities of color, and middle-class voters deserve to know that their voices matter and that they have a fair opportunity to shape the future of our country.”

Montclair Dems Chair Brendan Gill, alongside Senator John McKeon, will host a virtual kick-off rally on Tuesday, June 16th at 7:00 pm.

“I am deeply concerned about the future of our democracy, but I am equally convinced that New Jersey has both the responsibility and the opportunity to lead,” said Senator John McKeon, who represents Montclair and the 27th Legislative District. “We did not start this fight—Donald Trump did. Yet at moments like this, leadership matters. New Jersey is uniquely positioned to stand up for democratic values, protect fair representation, and help chart a path forward for the nation. The people of this state have never backed down from a challenge, and I know they are ready to meet this moment with courage, determination, and purpose.”

The current New Jersey Redistricting Commission is not scheduled to reconvene until 2030. Advocates argue that recent United States Supreme Court decisions weakening key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, combined with increasingly aggressive partisan gerrymandering efforts nationwide, require a more immediate response.

The petition emphasizes that many Democrats originally supported the creation of an independent bipartisan redistricting commission in the interest of fairness and transparency. However, supporters contend that the national political landscape has shifted dramatically, creating an uneven playing field that threatens representative democracy.

The proposed constitutional amendment would give New Jersey voters the opportunity to decide whether congressional district lines should be redrawn prior to the 2028 elections.

The Montclair Democrats are encouraging residents across New Jersey to attend the campaign kick-off virtual rally.  To RSVP:  To join this virtual rally, members of the public may RSVP at BlueNJ: Redistrict NJ Now! Virtual Rally 6/17 @ 7 PM

The Montclair Democrats are also asking for supporters to take immediate action by signing the petition. The petition can be found online here:  Petition · Tell The NJ State Legislature and Governor Sherrill: We Must Redistrict Congress Now - United States · Change.org

About Montclair Democrats

Montclair Democrats is a grassroots political organization dedicated to supporting Democratic candidates at the local, county, and state levels. Through year-round organizing, voter engagement, and leadership development, the organization mobilizes more than 14,000 volunteers to advocate for progressive issues and increase voter participation.  Montclair Dems is chaired by Brendan Gill. The Vice Chair is Tanya Poteat.  Please visit the Montclair Dems website at https://www.montclairdems.com.

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