NEW BRUNSWICK — The Democrat and Republican state legislative redistricting teams are working on their final proposals to redraw the state’s 40 legislative district maps. The five Republican and five Democrat commissioners plan to present their maps to tiebreaker Alan Rosenthal today, according to Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris), leader of the GOP’s redistricting team. Both sides have said the...
Alan Rosenthal, a Rutgers professor, is the tie-breaking member of the state legislative redistricting commission.NEW BRUNSWICK — The Democrat and Republican state legislative redistricting teams are working on their final proposals to redraw the state’s 40 legislative district maps.
The five Republican and five Democrat commissioners plan to present their maps to tiebreaker Alan Rosenthal today, according to Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris), leader of the GOP’s redistricting team. Both sides have said the chances of them coming to an agreement on a single map are slim, meaning Rosenthal will have to cast his vote with one side or the other.
“Let’s put it this way: They have our phone number and they haven’t been calling, and vice-versa. So I suspect there won’t be compromise and the map that’s adopted is one that gets 6 of 11 votes,” said Webber.
Webber said Rosenthal plans to hold a private, informal vote with the teams Saturday, before formally rolling out the map on Sunday. Rosenthal wants to have time to make last minute checks to the map, Webber said.
Gov. Chris Christie remains in the room as the commissioners work furiously on their last submission.
“I’m not going to talk about what we discussed substantively, but the governor’s input is always welcome," said Webber. “He let’s us know what his views are when he thinks it’s appropriate, and we appreciate his input.”
Previous coverage:
• N.J. minority groups say they're unhappy with legislative redistricting process
• Gov. Christie arrives in New Brunswick for N.J. redistricting commission meetings
• Deadline approaches to complete redrawn N.J. legislative map
• Some Democratic state senators push back against party's redistricting plan
• Proposed Democratic redistricting map pits party members against each other, Sen. Codey against GOP
• Early N.J. legislative redistricting plans by Republicans, Democrats widely diverge
• Tiebreaking member of N.J. commission defends politics of redistricting process
• Rutgers professor appointed to redistricting commission downplays newfound power