Redistricting: Redistricting Commissions: Pending State-by-State ProposalsPending State-by-State Proposals
CALIFORNIA:
California Initiative ACA 3 proposes to amend the Constitution by implementing an independent redistricting commission. The proposed measure requires that a three-member panel composed of retired federal and/or state judges who have never held partisan political office develop redistricting plans. The panel would be selected by legislative leadership from a list of nominations prepared by the Judicial Council . The initiative is currently in the circulation process which has a deadline of July 28th of 2005. Once approved, the initiative will appear on the statewide November 2005 ballot.
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GEORGIA:
Three years ago a State Senate r esolution propos ed an amendment to the Constitution that would allow that legislative and congressional redistricting to be done by an independent commission. Th is resolution is still in committee. More recently, a standards of redistricting bill was being considered and an amendment to the bill called for a n independent commission. The amendment lost and was not adopted as part of the standards of redistricting legislation.
Click here for the state senate resolution presented in 2002.
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Click here for the amendment to the standards of redistricting bill that failed.
INDIANA:
State Senate Joint Resolution number 9 establishes a redistricting commission to draw congressional and legislative districts after the federal decennial census. It also establishes principles for drawing districts and repeals the constitutional provision for drawing legislative districts by the general assembly.
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KANSAS:
State House Resolution 5010 would revise the constitution to implement a redistricting commission consisting of five members with exclusive authority over redistricting maps. The members would be appointed by party leadership in the state legislature. The bill was introduced in February of 2005 by the Committee on Governmental Organization and Elections and is in committee awaiting approval.
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MASSACHUSETTS:
This initiative would amend the constitution establish ing an independent redistricting commission . The commission would be subject to strict guidelines for public participation, non-partisanship, retaining the integrity of existing communities, and respecting the voting rights of minorities. The current proposed amendment must either be introduced by the legislature or can be introduced by petition. The bill has to pass through two consecutive legislatures with at least a 25% vote, after which the initiative may be placed on a statewide ballot.
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NEW HAMPSHIRE:
New Hampshire House Bill number HB00049 proposes an independent redistricting commission oversee the drawing of legislative district maps. A seven member board appointed by the legislature every ten years following the decennial census would recommend a map to the legislature for its approval.
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NEW YORK:
In New York , House bill number HBA06287 would establish an independent reapportionment commission to propose district boundaries for Congress, State Senate and Assembly districts every ten years following the U.S. Census. This bill would establish a reapportionment commission whose members would be appointed by the legislative leaders. Each leader (majority and minority) would appoint one member, for a total of four members. The four members would then appoint a fifth, who would serve as Chair of the commission. The commission would propose district boundaries that would, after public hearings, require a vote of the legislature without amendments.
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NORTH CAROLINA:
In North Carolina , bill number S. 430 would create a nine-member redistricting commission to be filled by the governor, chief justice of the state Supreme Court, House speaker and Senate leader. Each person making appointments would have to appoint members from more than one political party. The legislation would require the commission to adopt plans for state House and Senate district maps by Oct. 1 of the year after each decennial U.S. census.
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OHIO:
Rep. Driehaus (Dem.) introduced House Joint Resolution no. 6 on March 10th 2005 that would establish a five- member bipartisan apportionment board appointed by the majority and minority leaders in the house to redistrict congressional seats after every decennial census.
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OREGON:
Oregon has proposed a constitutional amendment that would establish a five member redistricting commission comprised of retired federal or state judges to be appointed after each decennial census by the state Supreme Court. The resolution will be voted on by the people in the next general state election.
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VIRGINIA:
Senate Joint Resolution 307 was proposed January 10th 2005 to the Virginia state senate by Senator R. Creigh Deeds
(D); the bill proposed that an independent redistricting commission be implemented to oversee legislative redistricting. The 13 member commission would be comprised of citizens not holding public office and would be appointed by the legislature after each decennial census. The bill was defeated February 1st 2005 in a tie vote of 7 to 7.
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WISCONSIN:
A new joint resolution, introduced by Representative Spencer Black (D) and twenty other legislators, would create an independent, non-partisan redistricting commission. The resolution directs the Joint Legislative Council to study and recommend legislation providing for redistricting by an independent citizens commission.
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