Legislative Priorities for Redistricting 2016

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERSOF NEW MEXICO

The League of Women Voters believes that well-drawn districts provide voters with a greater range of candidate choices and permit them to hold their elected officials accountable.

The League of Women Voters of New Mexico believes that the state must improve the redistricting process to avoid the extensive problems that occurred in 2001 and 2011. The League supports amending the Constitution to establish an independent commission to develop redistricting plans meeting the criteria listed below. The redistricting commission would be held to a high standard of integrity and fairness, be adequately funded, and be empowered to resolve challenges outside of the courts. The commission would be required to conduct an open, inclusive, timely, and transparent process enabling full public consideration of and comment on the drawing of district lines and the proposed results.

The League believes redistricting should result in districts that meet all federal criteria, including equal population and the provisions of the Voting Rights Act and should also, as far as is practical

l be contiguous

l be reasonably compact, in terms of travel time from one part of the district to another

l avoid crossing geographic barriers to travel, such as mountain ranges

l minimize the partition of major jurisdictions (counties, municipalities) to the extent possible

l and not intentionally favor any political party or candidate.

In the last two redistricting cycles, numerous lawsuits resulted in having the NM Supreme Court make the mapping decisions. This broken process has cost taxpayers millions of dollars in legal fees. In 2011, the total cost of redistricting in New Mexico was $8 million, of which $5 million was spent on litigation. The budget was $3 million.

An independent redistricting commission is needed to assure that the interests of voters are protected and that they have fair representation.

In the 2016 Legislative Session, LWVNM supports:

HJR 1 Rep. Carl Trujillo Independent Redistricting Commission

Proposing to amend the Constitution of New Mexico to provide for the creation of an Independent Redistricting Commission to develop and propose redistricting plans for state and Congressional offices.

Contact Information:

Meredith Machen (505) 577-6337