Redistricting Plan

This plan attempts to draw New Jersey from scratch with an eye for political subdivisions and minority representation. It begins at the county level and makes an effort to keep counties whole and minimize political subdivision splits. In the past plan, District 8 (which is now District 12) had a Hispanic majority population. While this plan reduces that population to 42%, it attempts to balance the Hispanic majority status with factors of continuity and the district remains a minority-majority district. To get up to 50% Hispanic population, District 12 could have reached across Newark Bay into Elizabeth. However, nothing connects the communities of Bayonne and Constable Hook with Elizabeth without going through Staten Island. As a result of the attempt to maintain the continuity of the district and keep the community together, the majority population was reduced.