Proposal would create nine‑member independent commission to draw legislative and congressional districts

Senator King introduced SJR 2, a proposed constitutional amendment to create a nine‑member independent districting commission to draw state House, state Senate and U.S. House districts.

Senator King and law professor Josh Silverstein, who spoke in favor, described the commission’s structure and a short list of non‑political criteria the commission would use: equal population; compliance with federal civil‑rights law; single‑piece (contiguous) districts; minimizing division of cities, counties and school districts; compactness; respect for geographic features; and nesting U.S. House districts within state Senate districts where possible. The draft language would bar the commission from considering political affiliation, prior election results, incumbency or other demographic information beyond the enumerated factors.

Silverstein told the committee independent commissions are used in other states and countries and can reduce partisan gerrymandering, which he described as “representatives selecting their voters.” He noted modern mapping tools have made gerrymanders easier to draw and said independent commissions have been adopted in states across the political spectrum.

The committee asked no substantive follow‑up during the hearing. No vote was taken.