The proposed resolution aims to amend the Arkansas Constitution by creating a "Citizens' Redistricting Commission" to oversee the apportionment and redistricting of congressional and state legislative districts, replacing the current Board of Apportionment. This new commission will consist of nine members selected through a process that emphasizes transparency and impartiality, with strict eligibility criteria to exclude individuals with recent political ties or lobbying experience. The commission will be required to hold public meetings, publish its work, and ensure that the redistricting process is open to public scrutiny, thereby promoting a more democratic approach to district drawing.
The resolution outlines the commission's responsibilities, including utilizing census and election data to create fair and equitable district maps that maintain equal population distribution and adhere to criteria such as contiguity and compactness. It mandates public hearings and the release of proposed maps for community feedback, with a certification deadline for new district maps set for November 1 following each census. Additionally, the resolution includes provisions for public review and potential legal challenges to the maps, repeals existing laws related to the Board of Apportionment, and grants the Supreme Court jurisdiction to ensure compliance with the new amendment, which is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.