Democrats flex muscle in passing redistricting changes
The state Senate squeezed through a proposal along partisan lines Wednesday that changes how the state's political map is drawn but ultimately leaves decisions in incumbent lawmakers' hands.
The Democratic-led state Senate approved the proposal 36-22, with no Republicans supporting it. It faces an uncertain future but one filled with potential for political manipulation.
Wednesday's vote means the proposal cleared the first of three hurdles before the state could successfully change the mapmaking process, which determines what areas lawmakers represent. The Democratic proposal now heads to the Democratic-controlled House. If votes continue along party lines, the legislation would fall one vote short of the required three-fifths majority needed to put it on the ballot.
Republicans find themselves in the position of possibly explaining to voters why no changes are better than changes supported by Democrats, who will accuse the GOP of killing reform.
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