New Bill to Create IRC introduced in NM House

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.

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