AJR41: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-1180/1

PJD&JTK:wlj:pg

2005 - 2006 LEGISLATURE

2005 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 41

May 12, 2005 - Introduced by Representative Kessler, cosponsored by Senator Risser. Referred to Committee on Campaigns and Elections.

AJR41,1,3 To amend section 4 of article IV and section 5 of article IV of the constitution; relating to: standards for redistricting assembly and senate districts (first consideration).

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This proposed constitutional amendment, proposed to the 2005 legislature on first consideration, provides that assembly districts, when redistricted, must be as nearly equal in population and as politically competitive as practicable. It provides that, when redistricted, senate districts must be in as compact a form and as politically competitive as practicable.

The proposal also requires that assembly and senate districting plans must enable, to the extent practicable, the election of an assembly and of a senate that is reflective of the racial diversity of the state as a whole.

A proposed constitutional amendment requires adoption by 2 successive legislatures, and ratification by the people, before it can become effective.

AJR41,1,4 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That:

AJR41, s. 1 Section 1. Section 4 of article IV of the constitution is amended to read:

AJR41,2,6 [Article IV] Section 4. The members of the assembly shall be chosen biennially, by single districts, on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday of November in even-numbered years, by the qualified electors of the several districts, such districts to be bounded by county, precinct, town, or ward lines, to consist of contiguous territory and to be as nearly equal in population, in as compact a form, and as politically competitive as practicable. The assembly districting plan shall enable, to the extent practicable, the election of an assembly that is reflective of the racial diversity of the state as a whole.

AJR41, s. 2 Section 2. Section 5 of article IV of the constitution is amended to read:

AJR41,2,16 [Article IV] Section 5. The senators shall be elected by single districts of convenient contiguous territory, at the same time and in the same manner as members of the assembly are required to be chosen; and no assembly district shall be divided in the formation of a senate district; the senate districts to be in as compact a form and as politically competitive as practicable. The senate districting plan shall enable, to the extent practicable, the election of a senate that is reflective of the racial diversity of the state as a whole. The senate districts shall be numbered in the regular series, and the senators shall be chosen alternately from the odd and even-numbered districts for the term of 4 years.

AJR41,2,19 Be it further resolved, That this proposed amendment be referred to the legislature to be chosen at the next general election and that it be published for 3 months previous to the time of holding such election.

AJR41,2,20 (End)