Late in the day Sunday, the decades-long effort to turn redistricting over to an independent commission in New Mexico took an unusual turn at the Roundhouse on the Senate Floor.

Senate Joint Resolution 9, sponsored primarily by Senator Natalie Figueroa (D-18) and six Democratic co-sponsors, if passed by both chambers, would put the question of an independent redistricting commission on the 2026 ballot for voters to decide. Late in the day Sunday, Senator Katy Duhigg (D-10), Chair of Senate Rules released SJR9 from Senate Rules Committee preventing it from having a hearing in that Committee.

Senate Judiciary is chaired by Joseph Cervantes (D-31) of Las Cruces. Cervantes has never gone on record as supportive of independent redistricting. While opponents of independent redistricting welcomed this unusual twist for SJR9, advocates for the resolution and its six bill sponsors likely do not.

"We are disappointed that SJR9 was not heard in Senate Rules. Independent redistricting gained a lot of support in the halls of the Legislature this year. We had the votes from both Republicans and Democrats to pass out of Senate Rules and mark a historic bi-partisan victory for redistricting reform, " said Hannah Burling, Project Lead for Fair Districts for New Mexico and co-President of the League of Women Voters of New Mexico. "We hope that Senate Judiciary will hear SJR9 promptly, and encourage constituents to reach out to the Chairman and other SJC members to express support for this important legislation."

Upon news of the release of SJR9 from Senate Rules, Senator Natalie Figueroa had this to say: "Now, more than ever, New Mexicans need to be able to trust in our election process. Independent Redistricting sends a clear message that voters' voices matter." Independent redistricting has garnered growing support prior to and since the 2021 redistricting in New Mexico. In a 2022 poll of likely voters, 77% supported an independent redistricting commission while only 12% opposed.