Advocacy: Dissolve the task force for genuine democracy in New Mexico

The redistricting process in New Mexico is facing criticism for its lack of transparency and fair representation. The task force, responsible for redrawing electoral districts, was convened outside the formal legislative process, raising questions about accountability.

The current composition of the task force is a point of concern, with only two Democrats and four Republicans, despite Democrats being the majority in the state. This imbalance has led to concerns about the task force's ability to represent the diverse voices of New Mexico's residents.

The duty to ensure transparent and lawful processes belongs to the people, through their elected representatives. However, meetings in the task force are closed to the public, and it's difficult to find reliable documentation or recordings online, raising concerns about transparency.

The data used as the basis for discussions in the task force is based on input from just 500 New Mexicans, raising concerns about its representativeness. Additionally, several respondents in the data used were cherry-picked from individuals involved in the last redistricting cycle, making the sample unrepresentative of over 2 million residents.

Independent voters, who make up a growing share of the electorate, have no representation in this task force. Furthermore, the task force does not include any Pueblo, Apache, or Tribal representation, despite these communities exercising sovereignty and being historically harmed by boundary lines.

The current redistricting process has been a betrayal of public trust and undermines democracy itself. The past redistricting cycles often sidelined citizen-drawn maps and public input, with final decisions made by special interests behind closed doors.

Voting rights are under attack across the country, and this situation in New Mexico is no exception. Critics argue that the task force is bending to the will of a few, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who is said to be acting under the influence of a president who claims he's entitled to five more GOP House seats in redistricting.

The redistricting process affects every aspect of democracy, determining community representation, competitiveness of elections, and the reflection of voters in government. It is time to disband this task force until it can be rebuilt with fair representation and real transparency. Nonprofits and community advocates should not carry government's responsibilities.

Senator Angel Charley, D-Acoma, representing District 30, has been a vocal critic of the current process. The chairman of the Roterteat oversight commission, responsible for redrawing electoral districts, is Michael Sanchez.

The task force's actions have sparked a call for reform, with many advocates pushing for a more inclusive and transparent process that truly represents the diverse voices of New Mexico's residents.