Lawmakers urged to keep Indian-majority districts

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) – Native American leaders urged lawmakers on Wednesday to safeguard Indian-majority districts when the Legislature redraws the boundaries of New Mexico's elective office districts.

There are nine districts – six in the House and three in the Senate – in which Indians account for at least 65 percent of the population. The districts are in northwestern and north-central New Mexico.

A group representing tribes and pueblos in New Mexico on Wednesday outlined redistricting proposals to a legislative committee that will continue that number of Indian-majority districts.

Native Americans represent 9 percent of New Mexico's total population and account for 4 percent of legislators – five out of the 112 members of the House and Senate.

“They need to have the opportunity to elect a representative of their choice. That is what the Voting Rights Act provides them, and that is what they are seeking to vindicate through the plans they are presenting to you,” said Teresa Leger de Fernandez, a lawyer and lobbyist for several tribal governments.

Not all 22 tribes and pueblos have endorsed the House and Senate redistricting proposals because some, such as the Navajo Nation, are awaiting a decision by their tribal councils.

The Legislature meets in a special session starting next week to redraw boundaries of congressional, legislative, Public Regulation Commission and Public Education Commission districts to adjust for population changes in the past decade.

The goal is to equalize district populations as much as possible to provide equal representation for New Mexicans to conform to the doctrine of one person, one vote.

Redistricting plans also must comply with the federal Voting Rights Act by not diluting the voting strength of minorities.

Conroy Chino, a lobbyist who is a member of Acoma Pueblo, said tribes and pueblos were united on their redistricting goals going into the Legislature's special session.

“We know what we want, and we also know how to get what we want,” said Chino, who served as secretary of the state Labor Department under former Gov. Bill Richardson.

Redistricting ended up in the courts 10 years ago when the Democratic-controlled Legislature and Republican Gov. Gary Johnson couldn't agree on plans for congressional and state House districts. A state judge drew the boundaries for New Mexico's three congressional districts and 70 House seats.

In determining House districts, the judge concluded there needs to be an Indian population of at least 65 percent in a district to ensure tribal members have an effective political majority that may be able to elect the lawmaker of their choice.

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