Wyoming Senate Bill SJ0001

Wyoming 2022 Regular Session

• Failed: 2/18/22

Caption

Redistricting commission.

Impact

If passed, this amendment would alter Article 3, Section 48 of the Wyoming Constitution and repeal outdated provisions related to districting, specifically outlined in Article 3, Section 3. The new commission would aim to create 60 house districts and 30 senate districts, which could potentially lead to a redistribution of political power within the state. Moreover, the decisions made by this commission would be subject to appeal in the Wyoming Supreme Court, providing a legal check on its authority.

Summary

SJ0001 is a Senate Joint Resolution that proposes an amendment to the Wyoming Constitution to establish a redistricting commission. This commission would be responsible for apportioning legislative districts based on the results of the decennial census conducted in the United States. Currently, the responsibility for drawing legislative district boundaries is primarily held by the state legislature. The bill intends to transfer this duty to an independent commission, thereby seeking to increase fairness and transparency in the redistricting process.

Contention

The proposal has sparked notable debate within the Wyoming legislature. Supporters argue that a redistricting commission would help mitigate partisan gerrymandering and promote more equitable representation of voters. Critics, however, have expressed concerns that such a commission could be less accountable and transparent than the current legislative oversight. The failed introduction of the bill, which received 9 votes in favor and 21 against, reflects the divisions among lawmakers regarding the best approach to handle redistricting in the state.