Chaini Parwani –
Published On: November 2, 2021 at 18:30 IST
The Colorado Independent Congressional Redistricting Commission approved a Congressional Plan subject to more than a dozen briefs for and against the map.
Justice Monica Márquez stated that “The Plan surely will not please everyone, but … the question before us is not whether the Commission adopted a perfect redistricting plan or even the ‘best’ of the proposed alternatives. The question is whether the Plan meets the requirements of the Colorado Constitution. We therefore approve the Plan.”
Further the Court directed the Commission to file the map with the Secretary of State by Dec. 15 so as to regulate Congressional District Boundaries for the next 10 years.
In 2018, Coloradans voted to administer two amendments — Y and Z — focused on rehabilitation the way the State conducts Legislative and Congressional redistricting.
The Amendments generated two Independent Commissions tasked with redrawing the State’s Political Maps in a way that focuses on integrity and minimizes the possibility for gerrymandering.
The commissions are incorporated of “twelve ordinary voters,” as the Court described them, on the other hand Congressional Districts were established through a more partisan procedure in the General Assembly.
The Independent Legislative Redistricting Commission was in charge of both the Colorado House and Senate maps, deciding the boundaries for the state’s 100 legislative districts.
Further State Senator Kerry Donovan stated in response to the Order “Unfortunately, the congressional maps that the Redistricting Commission submitted are a disservice to Coloradans and fail to follow the will of the voters, makes no mistake, these maps throw Coloradans’ voices — especially Latino and folks in rural Colorado — by the wayside, making districts less competitive, protecting incumbents, and splitting communities of interest.”
Furthermore, Justice Monica Márquez highlighted that the Supreme Court’s Order observed a watershed for congressional redistricting in Colorado and that the district map is product of public input, transparent deliberation, and compromise among twelve ordinary voters representing the diversity of State.
Due to Population Growth, the Congressional Map includes a new 8th District, located on the Front Range north of Denver up to and including Greeley.
Effectively, the map features three safe Democratic Districts, three safe Republican Districts and two Districts that lean Democratic but are within reach for Republicans.
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