Modifies provisions relating to the General Assembly
The amendments introduced by SJR68 would empower a bipartisan citizens commission tasked with redistricting both houses of the Missouri General Assembly. Unlike the previous process, the new proposal includes more structured guidelines intended to prevent gerrymandering, mandating that districts not only maintain population equality but also comply with federal laws like the Voting Rights Act. Additionally, provisions for community preservation are included, which aim to keep political subdivisions intact as much as possible when drawing district lines. This could create more competitive election environments.
SJR68 proposes significant amendments to Article III of the Missouri Constitution, primarily focusing on redistricting processes for the state legislature. The bill aims to repeal various existing sections and replace them with new provisions that establish clear guidelines for how districts are to be redrawn following census data. It emphasizes the principles of population equality, ensuring that districts are as nearly equal in population as practicable, effectively promoting a 'one person, one vote' ethos. This change is expected to enhance fairness in legislative representation across the state.
While proponents of SJR68 argue that these changes will lead to more representative and equitable elections, critics have raised concerns regarding the potential for politicized manipulation of the commission's appointments and the redistricting outcomes. Questions have been raised about the true independence of the commission members and whether their selection process could still yield partisan biases. Opponents of the bill believe that without strict oversight, gerrymandering could still occur, undermining the bill's intended purpose of fair representation.