GOP Calls Senate Redistricting Map "Unfair"

The redistricting trial taking place this week before retired Judge James Hall is his third since the end of the special legislative session in September. Thus far Judge Hall has opted for a “least-change” map for New Mexico’s three U.S. House seats as well as for the state’s 70 House districts.

Susana Martinez

There seemed to be a familiar refrain emanating from the Santa Fe courtroom again Tuesday. Fresh off a huge win that set aside the suggested lines favored by most Democrats for House districts, GOP attorneys labelled a boundary map passed by the Legislature during the special session that redraws district boundaries for New Mexico’s 42 state Senate seats as "unfair." Attorneys for Democratic lawmakers including Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez said the map the majority approved was well-studied during a special redistricting session in September and sufficiently balances various interests. It is roughly the same failed argument the Democrat's lawyers made in trying to defeat Governor Susana Martinez' proposal for House redistricting.

The Public Regulation Commission redistricting trial is scheduled for later this month. The Senate map was passed by the Democratic-controlled legislature only to be vetoed immediately by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.

GOP Calls Senate Redistricting Map "Unfair"