This bill proposes the establishment of an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission in West Virginia, which will be responsible for creating redistricting plans for state legislative districts. The commission will consist of 13 commissioners who must meet specific eligibility requirements, including being registered voters and not holding any partisan political positions. The selection process for commissioners will be managed by the Secretary of State, who will oversee the application process, ensure public participation, and maintain transparency throughout the selection and redistricting processes. The commission will also be required to hold public hearings and provide opportunities for public input on proposed redistricting plans.

Additionally, the bill outlines the powers and duties of the commission, including the authority to hire staff and consultants, manage its own rules of procedure, and ensure compliance with legal standards for redistricting. The commission will be required to adopt redistricting plans by a specified timeline and will be subject to oversight by the Supreme Court of Appeals, which will have original jurisdiction over any challenges to the plans. The bill emphasizes the importance of impartiality and public confidence in the redistricting process, mandating that all meetings be open to the public and that decisions be made transparently.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 4-1B-1