Joint P&E committee adopts voter explanation for HJR 4 after brief amendment and debate

At a joint meeting of the General Assembly’s Privileges and Elections committees, members approved the voter explanation that will accompany House Joint Resolution 4, the constitutional amendment that would change the redistricting process. Committee counsel and members debated whether the explainer should say the proposed maps have been approved by the legislature; the committee adopted a line amendment and then approved the final explanatory language by committee vote.

Chairwoman Price opened the meeting by saying the ballot question itself had already been decided and that the room would consider only the explanatory text to accompany the question. "The ballot question has already been voted on and decided," she said, noting the committee’s limited role was to approve the short, plain-English explanation that will accompany the referendum.

Meg Lam, counsel from the Division of Legislative Services, told members the statutory requirements governing the explainer. "Section thirty-19.9 does require that we prepare a neutral explanation for the voters to have to be less than 500 words, must be plain English," Lam said, adding that the Division prepares the text and the Department of Elections posts it once approved.

Several members raised concerns about whether the explanatory text properly described the current legal status of the proposed district map and whether it conveyed intent. One lawmaker questioned whether the phrase "restore fairness" was accurate and argued voters should be informed that some observers say the new maps were drawn to benefit one party; counsel and the chair said the explainer must meet the neutrality standard required by statute.

Delegate Scott asked whether the map that produces a 10–1 split in the state Senate had been fully enacted; the chair clarified that House Bill 29 had not taken effect until the governor signs it and that some Senate amendments remain. In response, Delegate Satt moved a line amendment to change the explainer to state the proposed district map "has been approved by the General Assembly." "I would propose that the proposed district maps are ... approved by the General Assembly," Satt said, adding a suggestion that staff could consider including how the map is drawn.

Committee counsel supported the wording change as the most accurate statement for materials that will be distributed after legislative action: the proposed map "has been approved by the General Assembly," counsel said, and the remainder of the ballot text would take effect only if voters approve the constitutional amendment. The committee moved and adopted the line amendment by voice vote.

After adopting the amendment, a motion to approve the voter explanation as amended was offered and seconded. Senators took a voice vote; the transcript initially records a tally of "9 ayes, 4 nays," and a clerk later noted a correction to the senate tally. The House proceeded to voice votes and the transcript records a 14–6 tally in favor. The chair declared, "The ayes have it." The approved explainer will be posted by the Department of Elections in polling places and on its website, per the statute.

The committee adjourned after the vote. No further action on the ballot question was taken at the meeting; the constitutional amendment itself will take effect only if approved by voters and, for statutory changes, following any required executive action.