Massachusetts Legislature Rejects Independent Redistricting by Wide Margin

Last Friday the Massachusetts House of Representatives rejected allowing an independent redistricting commission to suggests districts in a 132-23 vote against an amendment according to the State House News Service. Instead the House will effectively control the Congressional and Legislative redistricting committee with 21 of the 28 members being from that Chamber.

The House Chairman of the Committee on Election Laws, Michael Moran, had this to say on the matter:

Moran said he personally does not support an independent commission, noting that the people who would serve on the commission would be appointed by political officials and not elected. By entrusting them with redrawing district lines, he said, “I think I would be not representing my constituents to the best of my ability.”