Sponsors Representatives Natalie Figueroa and Daymon Ely
Fair Districts for New Mexico and its 40 partner organizations (see over), ask the New Mexico Legislature to support HJR 9, sponsored by Representatives Natalie Figueroa and Daymon Ely. If passed, the resolution will place the question of creating a true independent redistricting commission on the 2022 general election ballot.
The proposed IRC would consist of seven members with no more than three from the same political party. The State Ethics Commission would solicit applications from qualified electors and from those applications select 38 nominees reflecting the racial and geographic diversity of New Mexico, of whom not more the twelve may be from the same party. There are limitations placed upon applications from past elected officials, candidates for elected office and other political activity. Those 38 nominees will be submitted to the president pro tempore of the senate, the senate minority floor leader, the speaker of the house and house minority floor leader who may each strike up to two applicants from their own parties and may mutually agree to strike up to two more from the pool of unaffiliated and minor party applicants.
The State Ethics Commission shall appoint six commissioners from the remaining pool of applicants, ensuring geographic, racial and gender balance among the appointees. The appointees shall include two appointees each from the two political parties with the largest number of registered voters affiliated with the party in the state and two members who are affiliated with other political parties or who are unaffiliated voters. The State Ethics Commission shall also appoint from the remaining pool of applicants a retired district court judge, appellate court judge or justice of the supreme court to serve as chair of the independent redistricting commission.
The redistricting commission shall develop district plans for congressional districts, state legislative districts and other districted state offices following each federal decennial census. The commission shall develop district plans in accordance with the traditional redistricting guidelines (detailed). They cannot consider partisan data or incumbent addresses.
The redistricting commission may incorporate suggested changes to its proposed district plans in accordance with public comments and testimonies it receives, but shall not subordinate the requirements of traditional redistricting principles
The commission shall file with the secretary of state the commission's approved plans for senate, house of representatives and congressional districts and other districted state offices by October 1 of each year ending in the number one. The approved plans shall determine the districts for use in the succeeding primary and general elections for the respective body.