‘Political consequences’ of congressional district plans…

Redistricting Commissioner George Moses said plan C-33, the GOP Five Mile Plan for congressional districts,  “does zig and zag around, and if you were to tell somebody how to figure out which districts they’re in … you’d have to be very knowledgable.” He said, “When people get confused, it tends to diminish their participation.” Moses said the Democratic I-84 plan, C-34, creates a “bright and vivid line that everybody can recognize.”

Commission Co-Chairman Evan Frasure said he thought C-34 was “inviting a lawsuit,” because it unnecessarily splits two counties, Ada and Canyon. Plus, Frasure said, “It does have tremendous political implications.” He said, “It’s a brilliant political move … This clearly carves a nice district for a member of the minority party here in Idaho to run for Congress in the 1st District. If you haven’t done that analysis, perhaps I can share it with you.”

Moses responded, “There’s no hidden agenda here that we’re aware of.” He said. “This one is all about a bright line.” Frasure noted that C-33 has a zero population deviation, while C-34 has two districts that vary by 53 people, plus or minus. “The reality is anything over zero is going to have a problem, especially if it has political consequences,” Frasure said.