HOUSE MEMORIAL 8

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2020

INTRODUCED BY

Daymon Ely

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO CONVENE A REDISTRICTING TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES FOR THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS FOLLOWING THE 2020 CENSUS.

 

     WHEREAS, the 2001 and 2011 redistricting processes ended with the courts drawing the districts and costing New Mexico taxpayers an additional six million five hundred thousand dollars ($6,500,000) in court costs and attorney fees; and

     WHEREAS, the court battles of the past two redistricting processes seriously undermined the public's confidence in the political process; and

     WHEREAS, it is crucial to have meaningful public awareness and input into the redistricting process; and

     WHEREAS, twenty-one other states have either an independent redistricting commission or procedures that increase the transparency and integrity of the redistricting process; and

     WHEREAS, the interim committee process provides an opportunity to study this complex subject in detail while including as many stakeholders as possible;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to convene an interim task force to develop concrete recommendations to improve New Mexico's redistricting process, including proposed rules and guidelines; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the reforms to be considered include an independent redistricting commission; a temporary advisory redistricting committee; statutory standards for redistricting; guidelines for a future legislative redistricting committee; strategies for authentic public input; and other reforms that may arise during discussions; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico legislative council consider the task force's recommendations in drafting its 2021 guidelines for the development of state redistricting plans and that the task force report its recommendations to the appropriate interim committee and to the first session of the fifty-fifth legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be composed of the following fifteen members: six legislative members, divided equally between the house of representatives and the senate, who shall be appointed by the New Mexico legislative council; six members of the public with knowledge of the redistricting process, who shall be appointed by the New Mexico legislative council; two members appointed by the governor; and the secretary of state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council, the governor and the secretary of state.

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