You’ve probably heard of gerrymandering, the term for when politicians redraw political districts to either consolidate power — or break up their opponents’ supporters. But you probably don’t know that it dates back to the earliest years of the country and was named after a district that looked like a salamander. And you also may not know how it directly affects your life. LX News host Nik Z breaks it down with Dan Vicuna of Common Cause.
New Jersey Democrats and Republicans — in a departure from typical political tensions — came together Friday to agree to a new district map for the state Legislature through 2030.
The Apportionment Commission approved 40 newly drawn districts in a brief meeting at the statehouse Annex in Trenton. Republican Chairman Al Barlas and Democratic Chairman LeRoy Jones Jr. praised the process. The commission's 11th member, Judge Philip Carchman, said the two political leaders conducted the decennial process with civility.
“I want to let the public know without any question that these two gentlemen are strong an fierce advocates for their respective position," Carhcman said. “They did it with civility.”
The new map could mean that incumbent lawmakers might face off with colleagues in certain counties.
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Each of the 40 districts elects one senator and two Assembly members. The first election under the new map will be held in 2023.
Democrats control both chambers of the Legislature but lost six seats in the Assembly last year, while Republicans netted one new seat in the Senate.
The commission consists of five Republican members and five Democrats, with the 11th member chosen as a tiebreaker by the state Supreme Court's chief justice.
