The Roundhouse in Santa Fe (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
District Judge James Hall approved a new N.M. House redistricting map today that includes two fewer Republican-leaning districts than his previously-approved map the Supreme Court directed him to redo.
The plan Hall approved today includes 32 Republican-leaning districts out of 70 total. The previous map Hall approved included 34. The map that was in place during the last decade had 32.
You can view the map Hall approved today here. You can read the decision he issued here.
Earlier this month, the state’s high court rejected the plan Hall previously approved that was proposed by the governor. Republicans are appealing the Supreme Court’s decision, and a panel of three federal judges is considering whether to intervene.
It’s unclear whether anyone will appeal the ruling Hall issued today back to the state Supreme Court. How Hall’s decision will impact the federal appeal is also not immediately clear.
I’ll post an analysis of the situation later tonight or early tomorrow, but I wanted to get the decision online now for you to see.