New proposal would tip redistricting commission balance
A Meridian republican has introduced legislation that would tip the balance of the state’s redistricting commission. The commission is responsible for outlining legislative districts based on census results.
House Republican Caucus member Representative Steve Harris introduced a bill that would increase the number of appointees who serve on the redistricting commission. The current makeup of the commission was established by voter initiative.
There are currently six members, three republicans and three democrats. Harris would like to see a seventh member appointed by the executive branch. Harris believes tipping the balance would help end gridlock.
“We need to be fiscally responsible, and this minor change to the current process helps to promote that,” explained Rep. Harris. “We can’t continue to have a system that is automatically set up for litigation. An odd number of commissioners would eliminate that problem by serving as a tie breaking vote, if needed.”
The law currently allows each party executive director and the House and Senate leadership to pick three individuals from their respective parties. The new legislation would continue that process but allow for the Executive Branch to select the seventh person by a vote of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Controller, State Treasurer and Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Idaho Democrats say the legislation is an attempt to gerrymander legislative districts to further favor Republican candidates and would allow either party-in-power to eliminate any political enemies.
Rep. Mat Erpelding (D-Boise) expressed deep concern with the bill. “Put simply, this will gerrymander Idaho, and make Idaho even more partisan.” Erpelding explained. “Our current system ensures collaboration and fairness. All Idahoans have the right to free and fair elections. Gerrymandering is the scourge of U.S. politics and Idaho is heading that way.”
“It eliminates a bipartisan process and creates a perverse process in which decisions will be made behind closed doors and acted out in public,”said Erpelding. “When the amendment to create the commission passed, it was because Idahoans demanded transparency in government, not secret deals determined in a smoke-filled backroom. That is not the best way to have an effective government.”
