New Jersey begins work on redistricting

The process of redrawing New Jersey’s legislative districts is now formally under way, even though the latest Census data isn’t expected until next month.The 10-member reapportionment commission has adopted bylaws and agreed to hold the first of several public hearings Jan. 29.Assemblyman John Wisniewski, chairman of the Democrats’ five-member team on the commission, said it’s important that “we recognize that we are creating a map for all of the people of the state of New Jersey regardless of party affiliation.””That we’re creating a map that tries to recognize the communities of interest and the localities that people lived in and have become accustomed to voting for members in,” said Wisniewski.Republicans say the map of the legislative districts will change significantly because of federal court decisions and population and demographic shifts.The state’s chief justice will appoint an 11th tie-breaking member if the Democrats and Republicans can’t agree on the new boundaries.