Let the battle commence. Population numbers from the 2020 Census were released last week and Democrats and Republicans began plotting (that is the right word) how to shuffle populations around, within Congressional districts to get any advantage.
The event occurs every 10 years and there is never a clear winner. It’s always politically charged with voters’ and residents’ thoughts and desires always pushed to the bottom of any list of concerns. Top of the list? Each side trying to change the color of a Congressional seat to gain an advantage in Washington.
In Congressional District 3, where we reside, three counties lost population and two gained. Colfax, Union and Mora counties in the northeast corner of the state lost 9.9, 10.3 and 14.2 percent population, respectively.
Santa Fe County gained 7.4 percent in population and Los Alamos County gained 8.2 percent Sandoval County grew 13.1 percent.
Putting percentages aside, the largest increases and decreases in the District shake out to a net increase of 36,210 people. That could mean parts of Sandoval and Santa Fe counties could be pushed into Congressional District 1, which is composed of Bernalillo and Torrance counties.
However, with Eddy and Lea counties exploding with oil growth, perhaps some of that district, number 2, could be pushed toward District 1. That’s where the R’s versus the D’s battle comes in. Shall we push Republicans from the southern part of the state into a predominantly Democratic county, or shed some Democrats from our District and send them into District 1?
So numbers here and percentages there, what does that mean for Rio Arriba County residents? Probably not much. We remain a small county in a small state.
Probably 99 percent of New Mexicans were numb to the battle that raged for almost a year beginning in 2011 to reorganize the three districts. It finally went to court and tens of millions of dollars were spent on lawyers representing both sides. A judge decided how we would redistrict. No one was happy, the definition of a good compromise.
To prevent a replay of that scenario, the legislature in March passed a law creating a redistricting panel to draw new lines. Final approval goes to a Democrat-controlled legislature and a Democrat governor. We’re not sure that’s progress. It feels more like allowing we mere mortals to express our concerns, toss them out and the politicians vote for the best outcome for their party.
The meeting held Sunday afternoon at the Santa Claran had census takers, legislators and members of the redistricting committee. Retired Chief Justice Raymond Chavez heads the committee and he attended. He was saying the right things, such as people matter and like desires matter.
However, we can’t seem to get there with either political party furthering its views, not those of the people being moved like pawns on a chess board.
We can appreciate what state Rep. Roger Montoya, D-Velarde, had to say about his District 40. It’s got crazy lines in it and it’s about evenly split, geographically, by a mountain range. He says it takes nine hours to drive it, if he doesn’t stop to talk to anyone.
Additionally, ranchers in Mora aren’t interested in Española’s economy and vice-versa. They have water, grazing rights, rural economic development issues.
He also has the problem of being a D and going across the Sangre de Cristos to talk to Rs. One of the committee board members, Lisa Curtis spoke to that issue saying when a politician is badmouthing immigrants and represents them, “What’s going on there?”
We like the engagement and give and take of the committee visiting areas and asking for input. We have to question what will become of all these good thoughts and ideas when Dems gather later to vote on the committee’s proposals.
Be prepared for another long legal battle.