A bill to put the question of creation of an Independent Redistricting Commission in New Mexico on the 2024 ballot died Monday in the New Mexico House Judiciary Committee on a 10-1 vote to table. Multiple lawmakers voiced their viewpoint that the legislature should retain authority to draw its own district lines. Advocates for the bill offered extensive testimony, arguing for the bill’s passage and presenting survey data that 77% of likely N.M. voters want an independent redistricting commission and that the Legislature should let voters decide.
 
Representatives Natalie Figueroa (D-ABQ) and Jason Harper (R-Rio Rancho) presented a compelling case for an independent redistricting commission. They were joined in their presentation by Robert Rhatigan, a member of the 2021 advisory Citizen Redistricting Committee and Heather Balas, Vice President of the Election Reformers Network.
 
Despite the committee’s vote to oppose the bill, there was no opposition from the public. Instead, the following organizations offered testimony in support of HJR1: Adelante Progressive Caucus; Retake our Democracy; American Association of University Women; Election Reformers Network; Fair Districts New Mexico; League of Women Voters of New Mexico; Lutheran Advocacy Ministries; New Mexico Council of Churches; National Organization for Women; New Mexico First Redistricting Task Force; Progressive Democrats of America – Central New Mexico and Vecinos United
 
“Data from multiple other states with Independent Redistricting Commissions objectively demonstrate that, when voting boundaries are drawn by these independent groups, the maps are less biased and more reflective of communities, than when drawn by legislatures,” said Heather Balas of the national research organization Election Reformers Network. “Given the rising degree of polarization and distrust by voters in the election system, New Mexico and other states must take action to advance proven reforms to make our system more fair.”

"We are proud to be among those supporting House Joint Resolution 1 (HJR 1) that, if approved by the Legislature, would put the question of creating an Independent Redistricting Commission on the 2024 general election ballot. It would let the voters decide.

In 2021, we were part of the Fair Districts for New Mexico's (FDNM) campaign to pass the 2021 Redistricting Act that created the Citizen Redistricting Committee (CRC). The Legislature should be proud of passing the Redistricting Act, but it is time to enshrine fair redistricting into the New Mexico Constitution, where it is a permanent part of our state's government."

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"The creation of a Citizen Redistricting Committee in 2021 was a limited success for democracy. New Mexicans, through more than 14 public meetings around the state, had the opportunity to weigh in like never before on the drawing of legislative and congressional maps for the next decade. A BSP Research survey of highly likely voters in March found more than half believed the seven-member CRC did a great or good job of public engagement. However, the ultimate results and lack of transparency putting together the final maps were disappointing to many New Mexicans."

​Read the full article here. 

"If approved by the Legislature, House Joint Resolution 1 will create an Independent Redistricting Commission to draw future districts and take the decision out of the hands of the legislators. HJR 1 allows the voters to choose whether they want an Independent Redistricting Commission during the 2024 general election. It’s time to let the voters decide."

Read the full article here.