BOISE, Id – The Second Idaho Redistricting Commission was sworn in Wednesday. Its job is to draw Idaho’s new political maps. The First Commission couldn’t get this done in its three-month window. The New Commission got underway with some words of wisdom.
Ben Ysursa “Welcome, and it is a very serious task, you have a daunting task in front of you.”
Secretary of State Ben Ysursa had that warning for the New Commissioners, before he swore them into office. [start hot, fade under quickly]
Ben Ysursa “Raise your right hand and repeat after me, I do solemnly swear…that I will support the constitution of the United States…and the Constitution of the State of Idaho…and I will faithfully discharge the duties of the Commission for Reapportionment…”
The three Republicans and three Democrats spent much of the day learning the ropes of the Redistricting process. That included travel vouchers, time sheets, and an introduction to the mapping software. Elmer Martinez is one of the three Democrats on the Commission.
Elmer Martinez “We want to move forward and we’re prepared to stay as long as it takes but work very efficiently, try to save the state some money along the way, and do the right thing.”
GOP Commissioner Randy Hansen says he wants to avoid fights between the two parties.
Randy Hansen “That’s my hope that we can come together in very short order with a plan that would be good for the citizens of Idaho, that both parties will be happy with.”
Members of the Old Commission gave some advice to the new group. They said compromise is key and they advised the New Commission to start compromising as soon as possible. New Commissioners now have 89 days to draw a Legislative and a Congressional District map for Idaho.
Copyright 2011 BSPR
