The General Assembly is only a few steps away from handing over the job of drawing legislative districts to an independent commission. Supporters, mostly Democrats, say the change would prevent politicians from holding onto power by manipulating the redistricting process. “Voters should choose their elected officials; elected officials shouldn’t choose their voters,” said Sen. Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, who sponsored legislation to create the commission. Townsend’s bill passed the Senate on a 12-7 vote Wednesday. It still needs to pass a House committee, then the full House, before going to Gov. John Carney’s desk.
Some opponents of the proposal, mainly Republicans, say the General Assembly would be abdicating an important responsibility if the bill passes.
“Are there other responsibilities we should shovel off to an independent commission?” said Sen. Greg Lavelle, R-Greenville, who pointed out that many other politically sensitive tasks, like balancing the state budget, fall to legislators. “This is one of the things our constituents put us here to do.”
Full Article: An effort to take politics out of redistricting in Delaware.