[LWVNM Action] New Mexico House needs to pass SB15 - Redistricting Committee - This went to the press

[Richard Mason]

*March 18, 2021- Update SB15 stalled on the House Floor. What Happens if
nothing is signed into law?*



Senate Bill 15
<https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?Chamber=S&LegType=B&LegNo=15&year=21>
 – Redistricting Committee, sponsored by Speaker of the House
Representative Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe) and Senator Daniel Ivey-Soto
(D-Bernalillo) remains on the calendar to be heard for final passage by the
House of Representatives. If passed and conferred by the Senate, SB15 would
go to the Governor for review and hopeful signature.

The legislative session ends at Noon on Saturday, March 20.

But, what happens if no redistricting committee legislation is passed?
That would be the worst possible scenario because it would mean
gerrymandering and partisan politics are the rule of law.  Any hope of an
independent redistricting commission would be dashed.



The Legislative Council would appoint legislators to set the rules and
oversee a process, with an unclear role of the citizenry and no limits on
protection of incumbents. Incidentally, New Mexico is one of only two
states in the nation that expressly, and without limitation, allows
protection of incumbents in the redistricting process. Absent the reforms
called for in SB15 or HB211, this year’s process could be more partisan and
dividing than in 2012 – which resulted in multiple lawsuits of millions of
dollars in taxpayer funded legal fees.
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