CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - An effort to remove partisanship from the process of redrawing New Hampshire’s legislative districts is closer to becoming law.
Both the Democratically-controlled House and Senate have passed similar bills to create a 15-member independent commission to redraw districts, over the objections of Republicans who argued the Legislature shouldn’t outsource its responsibilities. The Senate on Thursday approved a bipartisan amendment to the House version that would give lawmakers more control over appointing the commission members.
Supporters argue the current system that puts lawmakers in charge of redistricting allows for gerrymandering, in which boundaries are drawn to benefit the party in power.
While Democrats now hold majorities in both the House and Senate, the current district designations were approved in 2012, when Republicans controlled the Legislature.
The bill now goes back to the House.
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