District Judge Todd Russell has named three people including Carson Clerk/Recorder Alan Glover as masters to handle the process of redistricting both Nevada's four seats in the House of Representatives and the Legislature.
“It's a very doable job,” said Glover. He is also a former state Senator and Assembly member who has participated in the redistricting process in those capacities.
The other two are Tom Sheets and Bob Erickson. Sheets is a prominent Las Vegas lawyer with the firm of McDonald, Carano, Wilson. He was chairman of the Nevada Tax Commission for six years and has served with the American Arbitration Association for more than 30 years.
Erickson was director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau's Research Division from 1985 until his retirement in 2003. In that capacity, he managed both the 1991 and 2001 reapportionment/redistricting efforts.
In addition, Russell set a Sept. 19 hearing to resolve legal issues and provide the team of masters with instructions.
“What we'll do is obviously wait until after the hearing on the 19th and wait for instructions from the judge on what exactly we're supposed to do,” said Glover. “Hopefully we'll have a rather detailed game plan here.”
And apparently, Sheets is a Democrat, Glover is a Republican, and Erickson is Nonpartisan (Independent)... And all are white males. Wow. So much for "diversity".
It is odd that Judge Russell appointed this set of "masters" to handle the line drawing when the matter of the Voting Rights Act hasn't yet been settled. Am I the only one here who sees a problem?
Don't get me wrong, I have nothing personal against any of these appointees. I'm just wondering if this really represents the diversity of Nevada.
Maybe if we like the results of independent redistricting, we should keep doing it... And follow California's example in appointing a commission that better reflects our population. And that really isn't a bad thing.
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