GOP push to change Idaho’s redistricting commission stalls

BOISE, Idaho – A measure with strong Republican support that could change the state’s independent commission in charge of redrawing congressional and legislative maps to favor Republicans has stalled amid a protest by Democrats.

The House on Tuesday sent back to the House State Affairs Committee the legislation that Democrats say is a rushed attempt at gerrymandering.

Three Democrats on that committee walked out in protest on Friday just before the 10 Republicans voted to advance the legislation to change the state’s redistricting commission from six to seven members.

Later that day in the House, Democratic Minority Leader Mat Erpelding forced bills to be read in their entirety in a slow-down maneuver he said he planned to continue the rest of the legislative session.

But Republican House Majority Leader Mike Moyle on Tuesday made the motion to send the legislation back to the committee, and there were no objections.