Schaffer opposes redistricting amendment

Somerset County Democratic Chairwoman Peg Schaffer on Wednesday came out in opposition to a constitutional amendment on redistricting being pushed by Democratic legislative leaders in Trenton.

“This redistricting proposal would be devastating to Somerset County and could reverse the progress our party has worked so hard over the last several years to build,” Schaffer said. “At a time when we finally now have Democratic representation in Congress, in the legislature and on the Freeholder Board, this plan would alienate our awakened progressive base and re-energize the Republicans. I am firmly opposed to this plan and will do everything I can to defeat it.”

The amendment would impose a fairness formula on the state’s redistricting process for legislative districts. It would require that at least a quarter of the state’s 40 legislative districts have vote margins that fall within 5% of the average of statewide elections over the 10 years preceding reapportionment.

The measure would also reduce the number of picks made to the redistricting commission party state chairs make from six to two, giving two picks to two legislative leaders from both parties.