A political organization is calling out several lawmakers for what they perceive as the silencing of citizens' voices over the special redistricting session.
The group "Better Together New Mexico" is distributing a petition online that asks, "Will certain New Mexico communities and common interest groups be 'redistricted' into oblivion, or will our legislators hear us?" The group calls for concerned citizens to sign the petition and send a pre-written letter that can be personalized.
"Sen. Cervantes' plan, and that of many other legislators, is to push through maps that will further empower their party and diminish the voice of others who may not agree with them," said Carla Sonntag, the president of the New Mexico Business Coalition, regarding state Sen. Joseph Cervantes, chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Cervantes, Sonntag said, "initially refused to take public comment when considering one of the maps before his committee. After receiving pressure to reverse course, he finally allowed comment but, unfortunately, many who desired to speak had already left the meeting."
The New Mexico Political Report reports that the New Mexico state Senate recently approved a reconstructed version of the state’s congressional map, with all Republicans voting against in a 25-15 vote. Sen. Cervantes (D-Las Cruces) and Rep. Georgene Louis (D-Albuquerque) sponsored the bill, Senate Bill 1.
House Speaker Brian Egolf said that Congressional District 2, currently held by Republican Yvette Herrell, would be significantly different, commentator Walt Rubel wrote in a commentary published by KRWG.
“This is the last election for New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District with a map that looks like it looks now,” Egolf said, according to Rubel. “So, next time it’ll be a different district and we’ll have to see what that means for Republican chances to hold it.”
The New Mexico Business Coalition sent an email to subscribers Tuesday in which they shared the "Better Together New Mexico" petition and urged readers to speak up and sign the petition.
"Having one party change boundaries specifically to give that party the advantage is what gerrymandering is, and it's wrong," the email reads. "The Democratic majority in Santa Fe are fast-tracking new maps that significantly change voting districts."
Added Sonntag: "In this process, they are breaking up communities of common interest as well as dividing cities and municipalities. It is shameful to put political gerrymandering ahead of the peoples' needs. But key parties have had this planned for at least a year and are working to make it happen regardless of the needs or desires of the people."
The redistricted maps for the state’s congressional districts have been sent to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and are awaiting her signature.
