New Jersey Redistricting Commission
The New Jersey Redistricting Commission is a constitutional body of the government of New Jersey tasked with redrawing the state's Congressional election districts after each decade's census. Like Arizona, Idaho, Hawaii, Montana, and Washington; the redistricting is completed within an independent, bipartisan commission. The apportionment of members of the Redistricting Commission is carefully balanced between legislative and executive majorities and is purposefully titled to allow the minority party an equal amount of seats on the commission.
Note that this commission deals with districts for the U.S. House of Representatives while the New Jersey Apportionment Commission deals with legislative districts for the New Jersey Legislature.
According to the state Constitution, New Jersey's commission has 13 members. The President of the Senate and Assembly Speaker each name two members; the minority leaders of both houses each name two members and the state's Democratic and Republican chairpersons each name two members. The 12 members then select a 13th "tie-breaking" member to chair of the commission. If they cannot agree on the 13th member, then each party submits a name to the state's Supreme Court, which chooses one as the 13th member.
The commission is required to hold three public meetings, but is otherwise allowed to meet in private until it releases its new map.[1][2]
2012 - 2021 Congressional Map
Following the 2010 Census, New Jersey lost one of its 13 seats in Congress.[3]
The commission named former Attorney General John Farmer, Jr. as its tiebreaking member.[4] Earlier in the year, Farmer had been counsel to the New Jersey Apportionment Commission.
On December 23 the commission chose a map endorsed by Republican members, which combined New Jersey's 5th congressional district, represented by Rep. Scott Garrett, with part of the 9th congressional district, held by Rep. Steve Rothman.[5][6][7] Much of the balance of the 9th District was included in a redrawn 8th Congressional District, which is represented by Rep. William Pascrell.[8][9] Democratic members of the committee had also planned to pit Rothman against Garrett.[10]
Instead of challenging Garrett, on Dec. 26 Rothman announced a primary election challenge against Pascrell for the 8th District.[11]
References
- ↑ New Jersey Constitution of 1947. Article II, Section 2
- ↑ "NJ Redistricting Commission". NJ Redistricting Commission. Retrieved 2011-12-29.
- ↑ "N.J. loses seat in Congress as Census Bureau unveils population numbers". The Star-Ledger. Dec 21, 2010. Retrieved 2011-12-29.
- ↑ "Farmer ready to serve as 13th member as commission set to certify his selection". PolitickerNJ.com. July 18, 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-29.
- ↑ "N.J. committee assigned to redraw congressional districts submit final proposals". The Star-Ledger. Dec 22, 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-29.
- ↑ "New map sets stage for battle in 5th District". New Jersey Herald. Dec 27, 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-29.
- ↑ "N.J.'s new congressional map gives edge to GOP". Philadelphia Inquirer. Dec 24, 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-29.
- ↑ "New Map Roils N.J. District". Wall Street Journal. Dec 28, 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-29.
- ↑ "New Jersey tilts redistricting battle toward GOP". The Washington Post. Dec 24, 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-29.
- ↑ "Democrats' map reveals similar lines to GOP winner". PolitickerNJ.com. Dec 23, 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-29.
- ↑ "Rep. Steve Rothman to challenge Rep. Bill Pascrell in June Democratic primary". The Star-Ledger. Dec 27, 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-29.