Editor’s Note: Updated November 19, 2018. Voters in Michigan, Utah and Colorado considering independent redistricting in the 2018 Midterms approved referendums to overhaul how legislative and congressional districts are drawn to prevent partisan gerrymandering in their states, according to the Washington Post.
COUNTABLE
By Eric Revell and Lorelei Yang
Voters in three states will weigh in on ballot measures that would transfer the responsibility for redistricting from the state legislature and give it to an independent redistricting commission ― putting an end to gerrymandering. Here’s a look at each:
Colorado Amendment Y would amend the state constitution to create a 12-member commission responsible for approving district maps for the state’s congressional districts. A final congressional map would require the approval of eight of the 12 members, including at least two members that aren’t affiliated with any political party, as well as the approval of the Colorado Supreme Court.
Under this amendment, districts would need to be competitive, meaning they’d have reasonable potential to change parties at least once every ten years. Amendment Y was referred to Colorado voters through unanimous votes by both chambers of the state legislature.
Continue reading about Michigan Proposal 2 and Utah Proposition 4 on Countable.us.