Article 4 of the Nevada Constitution requires the Legislature to apportion Senators and members of the Assembly among the counties or legislative districts of the State after each decennial census. (Nev. Const. Art. 4, § 5) This resolution proposes to amend the Nevada Constitution to remove the constitutional provisions that require the Legislature to apportion Senators and members of the Assembly and, instead, create the Independent Redistricting Commission to apportion Senators, members of the Assembly and representatives in the United States House of Representatives among legislative districts established by the Commission.
This resolution proposes adding a new section to the Nevada Constitution to create the Independent Redistricting Commission and requires the Commission to apportion representatives of the United States House of Representatives among congressional districts established by the Commission. This proposed amendment to the Nevada Constitution requires the Commission to apportion Senators, members of the Assembly and members of the United States House of Representatives beginning in 2031 and after each subsequent decennial census of the United States.
This proposed amendment to the Nevada Constitution requires: (1) the Commission to be composed of seven members who are registered and eligible to vote in this State; and (2) the Senate Majority Leader, Senate Minority Leader, Speaker of the Assembly and Assembly Minority Leader to each appoint one member. The remaining three members are: (1) required to be appointed by the four members appointed by the legislative officers; and (2) prohibited from being registered or affiliated with the largest or second largest political party for at least 4 years immediately preceding their appointment. This proposed amendment to the Nevada Constitution requires the members of the Commission to serve terms for the duration of the obligations of a census cycle.
This resolution also specifies the criteria that the Commission is required to use in adopting a redistricting plan.
This resolution provides for certain provisions of this constitutional amendment to remain in effect in the event that any other provision is deemed unconstitutional.
If this joint resolution is passed by the 2023 Legislature, it must also be passed by the next Legislature and then approved and ratified by the voters in an election before the proposed amendment to the Nevada Constitution becomes effective.