State redistricting provides a good example
Delaware’s House of Representatives and Senate gave a clinic this year on the correct way to go about drawing, publicizing and passing new representative maps for the required 10-year redistricting. As House Majority Leader Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf said on many occasions, once federal guidelines were considered to ensure that all districts had the correct number of voters and that communities of interest were maintained – in short to make sure new maps could be defensible in court – there wasn’t much room left for politics or debate.
That isn’t to say there wasn’t opportunity for the public to comment and time for the legislators to consider those comments before voting. The redistricting process this year was without doubt the most transparent and effective in Delaware’s history. Once maps were drawn that could meet the guidelines, they were disseminated to the public for review and comment and public hearings were held. Passage came easily in both legislative houses. As a result, the new districts are in place far in advance of next year’s elections and people considering running for office know what district they’re in and can begin planning their election strategies.
The state has given Sussex County Council a good example to follow as it goes about redrawing lines for the councilmanic districts. Although the county hasn’t indicated exactly what process it will use, at least one aspect of the state’s approach should definitely be included. Once new maps have been drawn that meet guidelines, they should be distributed for public perusal, comment and reaction – and at least one workshop held – prior to writing the ordinance for redistricting that will go to official public hearing. That way any major, unforeseen flaws that the public might pick up could be addressed before writing the ordinance and holding the public hearing. That could help save time and money in the long run.
It might take a little more time up front, but redistricting only comes along every 10 years. It might as well be done right the first time to avoid trouble down the line.
