Democrats want to declare impasse to bring in 11th non-partisan member, but GOP says they hope to find common ground
CAMDEN — In the contentious process to redraw the state’s 40 legislative districts, Democrats and Republicans are already arguing over whether to include an 11th tie-breaking member in the early parts of the meetings.
The 10-member commission to redraw the districts based on Census data is made up of five Democrats and five Republicans. But if they cannot agree on a map within one month of the release of the Census data – which has historically been the case – they declare an impasse and ask the chief justice of the state Supreme Court to appoint a non-partisan 11th member who will, more than anyone, determine the shape of the map.
At their first public meeting this morning in Camden, the Democrats stressed they should include the 11th member so he or she can have as much time as possible to consider map configurations, although they stopped short of saying he should be formally appointed.
“We think it’s essential, especially in the time frame we’re working with, have the involvement of the 11th member, who will almost certainly cast the tie-breaking vote,” said Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), the state Democratic chairman and leader of the Democrats’ redistricting team.
Democrats and Republicans each submitted names of potential tie breakers to Chief Justice Stuart Rabber and have said they submitted a name in common, making it likely that he or she will be appointed, although they will not confirm that person’s identity.
When asked, Wisniewski stressed they want to “involve” the member. He did not say whether he wants to formally appoint the member, which would compress the process further because according to the state Constitution the commission has only 30 days after the appointment to come up with a map.
The town-by-town, neighborhood-by-neighborhood Census data is expected to be released next week. giving the commission just two months to redraw the map before legislative candidates are due to file for the June primary elections.
But Republicans stressed the constitution allows the commission to meet for one month before they have to include 11th member.
“It is an accelerated and compressed process, but one that we feel requires us to follow the dictates of the constitution and work together as members of the commission, not Republicans or Democrats, but as members of a 10-member commission to try to find a map and make every effort,” said Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris), chairman of the Republicans’ redistricting team. “The opportunity to find common ground is one we think the constitution requires and we think is required in the process.”
More than 100 people turned out for the 9:30 a.m. meeting in Camden, which is ongoing. The purpose of the event is to gather public input. The commission has a second meeting scheduled for this afternoon in Toms River, and say they plan to put together several more meetings over the next two months.