Fair Districts for New Mexico

A push to take the job of drawing voting districts away from state lawmakers and give it to an independent commission has failed to pass in every legislative session since New Mexico redrew its maps in 2021. A joint resolution introduced Monday again seeks the change for state offices, but would leave the power to redraw the U.S. House map in the hands of legislators.

The New Mexico Supreme Court this week sided with the state Republican Party in allowing its lawsuit alleging Democrats politically gerrymandered the new congressional map to be heard in district court. While it may look like a victory for the GOP, nonpartisan advocates for fair redistricting say it’s actually a win for all New Mexicans.

A bill that aims to establish an independent redistricting commission to limit lawmakers’ role in drawing their own maps is expected to be introduced next month. Its sponsor, Rep. Natalie Figueroa, says it’s a necessary next step in removing politics from New Mexico’s process.

The election of all 70 seats in the New Mexico House was the first go around for a new district map. While Democratic control of the House will remain the same, the redistricting process may not.

The special legislative session focused on redrawing the state’s voting maps ended last month. KUNM’s Nash Jones spoke with Kathleen Burke, program coordinator of Fair Districts for New Mexico, to hear how the watchdog group thought the process went this time around and where the state’s effort stands today.

Let’s Talk New Mexico 9/30 8am: The once-in-a-decade redistricting process is underway in New Mexico. Lines are being redrawn for the U.S. House, state…

Earlier this month, KUNM reported about an online portal, Districtr, where New Mexicans can draw and submit their own maps to the Citizen Redistricting…