The ACLU filed a lawsuit (pdf) against the City of Albuquerque in state district court Monday, demanding that it reverse its decision to redistrict after the October 2011 city council elections. The ACLU wants the city to instead redraw districts before the October elections to reflect population changes in the 2010 elections, especially in the fast-growing West Side of Albuquerque.
More from the ACLU:
The City is constitutionally required to reapportion voting districts every 10 years following the release of federal census data to ensure equal representation among voters. 2010 census data shows that Albuquerque’s West Side experienced significant population growth, while other areas of the city remained stagnant or shrunk in population. By unlawfully postponing redistricting, the ACLU believes the Albuquerque City Council will dilute the voting power of residents on the West Side.
“At the heart of our democracy is the principle of ‘one person, one vote’,” said ACLU-NM Executive Director Peter Simonson. “When one city council district is grossly underrepresented, other areas of the city speak with a louder voice when it comes to making decisions about political leadership, bond proposals, and other important issues that affect us all. Failing to redistrict waters down the vote of citizens living in high-growth areas.”