Suggested Dona County Commission
Redistricting Plan Based on 2010 Census
As
suggested by the Southern Chapter of New Mexico Common Cause
1. The
Dona Ana County Commission should appoint a 9 member redistricting panel before
the 2010 census information is received, with panel positions being decided
according to the normal County procedure of application and vote by the
Commission. The panel should consist of:
- Persons nominated by Republican and Democrat party chairs for Dona Ana County
(one each)
- Three members of the community from each major party (Republican and Democrat)
- One
registered independent member of the community
The County Clerk should be asked to sit on the panel as an advisory member, and
an expert from NMSU or other organization in demographic study should be added
in an advisory role.
2. Once the 2010 census information is received, the panel would have 60 days to
write a draft redistricting plan after considering input from open and
publicized meetings. The redistricting plan should be based on four criteria:
a) Population equality
b) Contiguity of districts
c) Unity of communities within districts (don’t unnecessarily split a city,
village, colonia, or neighborhood
d)
Compactness/shape
e) Not
intentionally favoring any political party
3. After 60 days, and the draft plan being completed, the panel will be
responsible for holding three presentations to the public, one each in the
North, Central, and South parts of the County. Each presentation should leave
time for public input. The panel should have at least one more meeting to
discuss and incorporate the public input into the plan.
4. Within 90 days of receiving the initial census information, the panel will be
responsible for presenting a final redistricting plan to the Commission. The
Commission will then be responsible for using these recommendations in forming
the final redistricting plan.
