LRB-2299/1
PJD&JTK:wlj:rs
2005 - 2006 LEGISLATURE
May 18, 2005 - Introduced by Senator Risser, cosponsored by Representative
Kessler. Referred to Committee on Labor and Election Process Reform.
SJR25,1,3 1To amend section 4 of article IV and section 5 of article IV of the constitution;
2relating to: standards for redistricting assembly and senate districts (first
3consideration).
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 two successive
legislatures, and ratification by the people, before it can become effective.
SJR25,1,4 4Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That:
SJR25, s. 1 5Section 1. Section 4 of article IV of the constitution is amended to read:
SJR25,2,56 [Article IV] Section 4. The members of the assembly shall be chosen biennially,
7by single districts, on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday of November in
8even-numbered years, by the qualified electors of the several districts, such districts

1to be bounded by county, precinct, town, or ward lines, to consist of contiguous
2territory and to be as nearly equal in population, in as compact a form, and as
3politically competitive
as practicable. The assembly districting plan shall enable, to
4the extent practicable, the election of an assembly that is reflective of the racial
5diversity of the state as a whole
.
SJR25, s. 2 6Section 2. Section 5 of article IV of the constitution is amended to read:
SJR25,2,157 [Article IV] Section 5. The senators shall be elected by single districts of
8convenient contiguous territory, at the same time and in the same manner as
9members of the assembly are required to be chosen; and no assembly district shall
10be divided in the formation of a senate district; the senate districts to be in as compact
11a form and as politically competitive as practicable. The senate districting plan shall
12enable, to the extent practicable, the election of a senate that is reflective of the racial
13diversity of the state as a whole
. The senate districts shall be numbered in the
14regular series, and the senators shall be chosen alternately from the odd and
15even-numbered districts for the term of 4 years.
SJR25,2,18 16Be it further resolved, That this proposed amendment be referred to the
17legislature to be chosen at the next general election and that it be published for 3
18months previous to the time of holding such election.
SJR25,2,1919 (End)
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