New Mexicans should choose their elected representatives, rather than politicians choosing their voters. Every ten years the states are required to redraw the voting districts, and that's when the shenanigans occur.

New Mexicans have a chance in 2021 to tip the scales in favor of the voters.

SB 199 -- cosponsored by Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino (D) and Senator Mark Moores (R), and HB 211 -- cosponsored by Rep. Joy Garratt (D), Rep. Natalie Figueroa (D) and Rep. Georgene Louis (D) -- create an independent commission to draw the district boundaries. Four members of the commission would be appointed by the Republican and Democratic leaders of the state House and Senate, and another three --- two independents or representatives of minor parties and one retired Court of Appeals judge -- would be chosen by the state Ethics Commission. The commissioners cannot be public officials, candidates for office or a registered lobbyist, and they cannot hold leadership positions in a political party.

Democratic leaders in Santa Fe are dragging their heels and apparently don't want SB 199 or HB 211 to pass. In all fairness, if Republicans were in power, they likely would resist reform as well. 

New Mexico voters demand our legislative leaders promptly hold fair hearings on SB 199 and HB 211.  We want a fair redistricting process taken out of the hands of politicians and the political parties.