1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

.165814.1

SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 48

48

TH LEGISLATURE

- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -

FIRST SESSION

, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

John T. L. Grubesic

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE LEGISLATIVE STRUCTURE AND PROCESS STUDY

TASK FORCE STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF CREATING AN INDEPENDENT,

BIPARTISAN CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION.

WHEREAS, achieving proper political representation of New

Mexico communities and minority groups fosters healthy

competition in races for elective office; and

WHEREAS, competition in the political process helps

guarantee that elected officials will represent the full

diversity of New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, using a fair and open process to redraw New

Mexico's political boundaries would reinvigorate the connection

between elected officials and the residents of New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, broad citizen participation in the redistricting

process will produce more accountability in government,

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

.165814.1

- 2 -

strengthen public confidence in government and improve the

quality of public policy;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE

STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative structure and process

study task force be requested to study the feasibility of

creating an independent, bipartisan citizens redistricting

commission to compose district plans that are representative of

New Mexico's population and that result in more competitive

districts for public education commission, public regulation

commission, legislative and congressional races; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study include the

following:

A. a review of independent, bipartisan citizens

redistricting commissions created by other states;

B. methods for creating a balanced redistricting

commission that is representative of the geographical, racial,

ethnic, gender and age diversity of New Mexico; and

C. procedures for conducting the work of the

redistricting commission that will ensure public participation

and transparency of the redistricting process; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report the

findings of its study, including recommendations for proposed

legislation for the 2008 legislative session, to the next

session of the legislature no later than December 1, 2007; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

.165814.1

transmitted to the co-chairs of the legislative structure and

process study task force.

- 3 -