[LWVNM Action] SF New Mexican calls for an Independent Redistricting Commission

[Richard Mason]

*I may steal their closing line. - Dick Mason*


OUR VIEW

Independence is key for redistricting

*The New Mexican – Sunday, November 20, 2022*



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Gerrymandering districts for political gain is frowned upon widely —
unless, of course, it is your party that’s in power. Then, too often, the
end justifies the means.

Gerrymandering to preserve power and incumbency is popular because it
works. Just look at the House of Representatives after the midterm
elections, where Florida’s Ron DeSantis-led redistricting boosted the GOP
margin by four seats. So partisan were the DeSantis maps, even Republicans
in the Florida Legislature resisted before the governor pushed them through.

Considering the narrow margin by which Republicans have retaken the House —
not all races are decided, but the GOP has reached the 218 threshold for
majority — the four additional Florida seats are proving crucial to victory.

New Mexico, too, saw a different congressional map in 2022, one that
weighted the 2nd Congressional District with more Democratic voters by
adding Albuquerque’s South Valley to the district and splitting GOP
strongholds between the 2nd and the 3rd districts.

That map, which still faces a court challenge, does have one important
distinction from similar gerrymandered districts around the country — all
three congressional districts in New Mexico are potentially competitive.

New Mexico’s redistricting system can be improved to remove partisanship
even further.

Redistricting takes place every decade after the census count is in. For
the 2022 election, a Citizen Redistricting Committee was appointed to
jump-start the process. Members held hearings around the state, took
testimony from the public and drew the maps — but deciding the final
districts was up to the Legislature, as required under the state
Constitution. The committee was advisory only.

Interestingly, a report — co-authored by University of New Mexico professor
Gabriel Sanchez — on the 2022 redistricting has shown the Legislature
appeared less worried about empowering Democrats than protecting
incumbents. That is, lawmakers wanted to draw districts where elected
lawmakers did not have to run against one another. This form of
gerrymandering is known as “buddymandering.”

This much is clear: An advisory committee to redistrict is not enough.
Redistricting needs to be left to an independent group that can’t be
ignored. For that to happen, voters will have to weigh in.

In the 2023 Legislature, the group Fair Districts for New Mexico says state
Rep. Natalie Figueroa will sponsor a House Joint Resolution to put the
question of creating an Independent Redistricting Commission on the 2024
ballot. A constitutional amendment would remove legislative authority over
maps, ensuring a more independent process.

Nonpartisan redistricting is a potent method of reducing partisanship in
our political system. While it is painful to redistrict fairly in one state
only to see another party abuse the system elsewhere, changing the
redistricting process to eliminate favoritism — for political parties or
incumbents — is an important step forward.

We’ll be watching the progress of this proposal and urge Democrats and
Republicans to support it. Whether forming districts for congressional
seats or drawing up state House and Senate seats, the emphasis should be on
fairness and doing what’s best for voters — the politicians can take care
of themselves.
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