Office of the Vice President

[Јas]

I see the Governors' right to carry out redistricting as an important one, because it is the only instance in which the Governors must work together, but also the Governors have historically tried to keep their respective regions together in a particular district as much as possible.  It makes very little sense to me, then, that we should even have different regions and districts if only a handful of states get switched up between the two.  It really seems like a pointless exercise as the process is currently acted out.  I'd like to see the Senate pass a resolution recommending to the Governors that a goal of their process should be to create districts as different from the regions as possible.

Thoughts from the Senate on this matter?

If I may make a submission, such a resolution would probably be beyond the power of the Senate. Only a constitutional change could mandate a change in how the Governors deal with redistricting.

Personally, I agree with you that there is no need to have similar regions and districts. As I've said elsewhere, I would advocate maintaining the five regional seats, and having five national seats elected, all together, by Single Transferable Vote.

[Јas]

It's not beyond the power of the Senate to voice its opinion on what is the best action by the governors on this issue.  This does not obligate the governors to follow the Senate's recommendation, however, so a resolution to this end is not unconstitutional by any means.

I see. Yes, I would agree with you here, but I would ask is there any point in passing a resolution which will, more likely than not, fall on deaf ears?

[Јas]

I see. Yes, I would agree with you here, but I would ask is there any point in passing a resolution which will, more likely than not, fall on deaf ears?

It would acknowledge that the way the process is currently carried is not an effective one.  The governors, historically, have felt some unreasonable desire to keep their regions as much in one district as possible.  In the last round of redistricting, I was the first to label you a "freedom fighter" for standing up to the other governors in their desire to continue this trend.  Ideally, we could change the "culture" of the redistricting process from protectionism to pragmatism.

Certainly, if it achieved (or made progress towards) that aim then your proposal would be worthwhile.