New Jersey Senate Bill SCR37

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/18/22
• Refer: 1/18/22

Caption

Proposes constitutional amendment to require that legislative districts be established in manner that promotes competition between political parties.

Impact

Should SCR37 be approved, it will fundamentally change how the New Jersey Apportionment Commission operates following each decennial census. The commission will be responsible not only for ensuring equal representation in terms of population but also for fostering environments where both major parties are viable contenders in elections. This could lead to a significant reallocation of districts to balance political power and increase the representation of diverse voter preferences within the state's legislative framework.

Summary

SCR37 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution introduced in New Jersey, proposing a constitutional amendment aimed at restructuring the process of establishing legislative districts. The amendment stipulates that legislative districts must be drawn in a way that promotes competition between the two major political parties. This means that each political party should have a fair chance of winning elections within those districts, enhancing electoral competitiveness. The proposed amendment specifically calls for the creation of 'competitive districts', defined as those where no party is favored to win by more than 10 percentage points based on past gubernatorial election outcomes.

Contention

Debate surrounding SCR37 may focus on concerns regarding political fairness and representation. Supporters of the amendment argue that it will prevent gerrymandering and ensure that more voters feel their preferences are reflected in their district’s representation. Conversely, opponents may express skepticism about the feasibility of creating such districts or argue that this amendment could inadvertently entrench existing partisan divides. They may also question whether competitive districts will lead to more effective governance or simply heighten political tensions in the state.