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Martinez Vetoes Redistricting

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Republican Gov. Susana Martinez has vetoed legislative and Public Regulation Commission redistricting plans that she contends will protect Democratic candidates and make it harder for Republicans to compete in some parts of the state.

The governor rejected the Democratic-backed proposals on Friday.

In her veto message, the governor outlined legal arguments against the plans that likely will be echoed by Republicans in pending lawsuits that ask courts to take over the once-a-decade task of realigning the boundaries of elected office districts to equalize their populations.

The Democratic-controlled Legislature approved the redistricting plans over the objections of Republicans.

Anticipating that Martinez would veto the proposals, groups of Republicans, Democrats and Native Americans have filed lawsuits in state district court asking judges to draw new district boundaries.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.