The proposed legislation to establish an Independent Redistricting Committee, HJR-1, received a "Do Pass" vote from the House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee (HGEAC) in Santa Fe. This vote enables the draft constitutional amendment to move to the House Judiciary Committee, which must also approve it before it can move to the House Floor.

The bill's bipartisan co-sponsors, Rep. Natalie Figueroa and Rep. Jason Harper, each spoke for the bill, along with advocates from many organizations statewide. Additionally, Jeremy Farris of the State Ethics Commission and Heather Balas of the Election Reformers Network provided context as expert witnesses. 

Advocates are urged to call and thank members of HGEAC and also House Judiciary members, urging them to approve the bill when it comes to them.

Republican House member Jason Harper joined Democrat Natalie Figueroa in sponsoring House Joint Resolution 1, aiming to create an Independent Redistricting Commission in New Mexico.

The bill, which would call for a Constitutional Amendment and ultimately approval by voters, will be heard later this month in the NM House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee.

NM Rep. Natalie Figueroa again advanced the cause of independent redistricting in New Mexico by sponsoring legislation. Her bill, HJR-1, would amend the state constitution to create an Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC).

Key aspects of the bill include:

• Authority for the IRC to develop and approve the redistricting maps
• Increasing the number of members to nine, improving the likelihood of racial and geographic diversity in the group
• Creating a public application process, so any NM voter can apply to serve
• Establishing a 10-year ban on former elected officials and other political insiders, thus preventing the commission from being dominated by party elites
  
  

The full text of the bill is available on the legislature's website.