Centrist Dems seek transparency in state redistricting efforts

A group of centrist Democrats wants to ensure that states act transparently as they begin their congressional redistricting efforts.

Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) and 19 other Democrats introduced the Redistricting Transparency Act, which would require states to hold open hearings and maintain public websites with information on congressional districts and how they are being redrawn. Sponsors hope that passage would create a transparent system in each state that makes it harder for party leaders to draw up districts that are "safe," or favorable, for either side.

"Democrats and Republicans have been in cahoots about this for decades," Cooper said Wednesday. "The political map-drawers know how to split neighborhoods, houses, and even, in theory, double beds. This abuse of the one-person, one-vote principle enables politicians to draw districts so bizarre that you need a GPS device to locate them."

Several states will begin redistricting processes in the coming months. The 2010 Census revealed shifts in populations throughout the U.S. that will add congressional seats to some states, and take away from others.

For example, Texas will gain four seats, Florida two seats, and several other states in the South and West will gain one seat each. New York and Ohio will each lose two seats, and others, like Massachusetts and New Jersey, will lose one seat.

Several members of the New Democratic Coalition support the bill, as do several centrist Democrats who have voted with Republicans on healthcare repeal, such as Reps. Jim Matheson (Utah), Dennis Cardoza (Calif.), Dan Boren (Okla.), Heath Shuler (N.C.) and Mike Ross (Ark.).

Cooper added that he would co-sponsor the Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act (H.R. 453), which would require each state to establish an independent redistricting commission to redraw congressional districts, and ensure that the commission adheres to certain principles when doing so. Shuler will be the primary sponsor of that bill.