The Republicans’ furtive midnight gerrymander in the waning days of the 2003 legislative session made it clear that partisan influence needs to be diminished in the congressional redistricting process.
In the final days of this year’s session, two prominent lawmakers have proposed a measure that would do exactly that, taking the highly charged task out of the legislature’s hands and hopefully keeping it out of the courts, too. (After two of the last three censuses, redistricting ended up in a judge’s hands because Colorado lawmakers couldn’t agree.)
Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 would give an independent commission the authority to redraw Colorado’s congressional boundaries, expanding the work of the apportionment commission that currently draws legislative lines.
It’s an idea whose time has come, especially considering the nastiness of two years ago. Its authors are Sens. Mark Hillman, R-Burlington and Ken Gordon, D-Denver, thoughtful lawmakers who share no known ideology. If approved, legislative leaders would appoint eight people from across the state to the commission. Those members then would appoint three others who don’t belong to either of the two prevailing parties. The commission would draw legislative and congressional lines.
Lawmakers would not be able to serve on the committee, and the governor and Supreme Court chief justice would no longer appoint members. Hillman said now the chief justice “appoints swing votes and then they (the court) have to pass judgment on the work they do.”
The bill was introduced in late April, so sponsors may not have time to rally support from two-thirds of each chamber in order to put the idea before voters. It’s being heard before the State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee today.
The measure also would change the makeup of each legislative chamber, reducing the number of senators from 35 to 33 while adding a 66th House member. The idea is to have two representatives from each Senate district. That alignment could make redrawing legislative lines easier, but if it becomes a sticking point in creating a new way to draw congressional boundaries, it should be dumped.
Colorado’s lawmakers haven’t been up to the task of redistricting. We applaud Hillman and Gordon for developing such a sensible alternative.
