New Mexicoís Political Lineup

Redistricting Deadline

No specific date.

Whoís in Charge of Redistricting?

The legislature. An interim committee of the legislature was formed in the fall of 2000. Redistricting plans will most likely be passed in a special session in the fall of 2001. The governor has veto power over both plans.

Districting Principles

Public Access

Statewide public hearings will be held. In addition, the legislature has an extensive webpage on redistricting with maps, a schedule of Redistricting Committee meetings, and a citizen's guide to redistricting.

Political Landscape

With a Democratic state legislature and a Republican governor, the state faces a potentially contentious redistricting process. All three of its congressional districts are potentially competitive. Statehouse Democrats might insist on fighting to make one of the two current Republican districts more Democratic ñ which could create deadlock with the governor ñ or the parties might settle on a plan that strengthens the partisan leanings of all of the districts. Redistricting may end up in court.

New Mexico has a relatively strong third party, the Green Party, which has run strongly in recent special congressional elections and, arguably ìspoiledî at least two races for Democrats. The legislature has seriously considered instant runoff voting, a method that would allow Greens to run without being "spoilers."