Governor Perdue Introduces Redistricting Amendment

Legislation follows recommendations of the Independent Redistricting Task Force

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue introduced a constitutional amendment today to establish the Citizens Redistricting Commission, an independent redistricting commission that would help ensure fairly drawn districts and improve public faith in the elective process.  The amendment is being sponsored by State Senator Ronnie Chance, one of the Governor’s Floor Leaders in the Senate.

"The people should pick their legislators, not the other way around," said Governor Sonny Perdue.  "You can’t take politics out of politics, but an independent commission would come closer."

If the amendment passes, the Commission would function independently with respect to both congressional districts and state legislative districts, and would submit its report to the General Assembly for an up or down vote.  If either house declines to give approval, the report would return to the Commission with specific suggestions that would eliminate the basis for disapproval.  If either house declined a second time, the General Assembly would proceed to complete the redistricting process on its own.

The Commission would have seven members:

• One person appointed by Lt. Governor
• One person appointed by Minority leader in Senate
• One person appointed by the Speaker
• One person appointed by Minority leader in House
• Two persons appointed by Governor, only one of whom may be of the same political party as the Governor
• One person (selected by six persons above) to chair the commission

"This legislation would instill confidence in our electoral system," said Senator Chance.  "At the same time, it continues to give the General Assembly the final approval over redistricting."