Henderson’s map games could spark statewide redistricting reform

By Brittany Sheehan  

Nevadan News and Views

Picture this: You live in Henderson, Nevada. You voted for your city council member in 2022. Now, just three years later, the city wants to move you into a different voting district for the seventh time in 15 years. Sound fair? Many conservatives don’t think so.

What’s Happening in Henderson?

Henderson has redrawn its ward boundaries seven times in the last 15 years, far more often than most cities. This isn’t normal. Most cities across America only redraw their maps every 10 years after the U.S. Census. But Henderson is different.

Unlike most Nevada municipalities, which rely on the Census to determine population, in 2013, Henderson won legislative approval to change its charter to let the city’s own demographer estimate each ward’s population. When one ward has more than 5 percent more people than another, the city says it must redraw the map.

The problem? Many people think the city is playing politics with these numbers.

The Conservative Concern

Here’s why this matters to conservatives who believe in limited government and fair elections.

Henderson Councilwoman Carrie Cox, the only openly identified Republican on the council, thinks her fellow council members are “rejiggering the maps with an eye toward boosting prospects for her opponent” who has been endorsed by the other council members.

Cox said at the city meeting:

“When you have colleagues that do the things that I’ve had done to me, it’s an easy trip to know that something’s going on.”

She was the only council member to vote against the latest redistricting plan.

This is exactly what conservatives worry about when government gets too much power. Instead of letting voters choose their representatives, politicians are choosing their voters.

The Numbers Don’t Add Up

The city presented two options to fix the so-called population problem. Plan One would have affected 40,000 residents, or 11 percent of the population by moving a dozen precincts. Plan Two accomplished the same goal by moving one precinct of roughly 4,500 residents.

Think about that for a minute. If both plans solve the same problem, why would anyone choose to disrupt 40,000 people’s lives instead of just 4,500? Option 1 would remove key precincts that Cox won in her 2022 election from Ward 3 — raising questions about the real motivation behind the redistricting.

Even some council members see the politics at play. Councilman Rory Diamond was the lone vote against the council’s original map, saying it was designed to protect incumbents.

Why This Matters Beyond Henderson

This story isn’t just about one Nevada city. It’s about a growing problem across America where local politicians use redistricting to keep themselves in power.

When politicians don’t have to worry about competitive elections, they stop being accountable to voters. They can ignore what their constituents want because they know they’ll win anyway.

When politicians don’t have to worry about losing elections, they stop listening to voters. This goes against everything conservatives believe about limited government and accountability.

The Bigger Picture

Henderson’s frequent redistricting could spark a revival of efforts to create an independent redistricting commission in Nevada. A liberal group called Fair Maps Nevada PAC has unsuccessfully tried to let voters decide if an independent redistricting commission is better suited than state lawmakers to draw the lines.

The group tried in 2020 but the pandemic hurt their signature-gathering efforts. In 2024, the Nevada Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that struck down two similar initiatives slated for the ballot that year. The ruling found the measures created a commission with no source of funding.

But September 1 is the first day to file constitutional amendment ballot questions, and supporters are thinking about trying again.

What Conservatives Can Do

For conservatives who believe in fair elections and limited government, Henderson’s situation should be a wake-up call. Here’s what you can do:

—‚Stay informed about your local redistricting. Most people don’t pay attention to city council meetings until it’s too late. Know when your city is considering redistricting and why.

—Ask hard questions. If your city wants to redraw maps more often than every 10 years, demand to see the data. Are they using official Census numbers or their own estimates? Why do they need to change things so often?

—Support transparent processes. Push for redistricting rules that require public input, clear standards, and independent oversight. Politicians shouldn’t be allowed to draw their own districts in secret.

—Get involved locally. City council races often have low turnout, which means your vote counts even more. Support candidates who promise fair, limited government.

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Brittany Sheehan is a Las Vegas-based mother, policy advocate and grassroots leader. She is active in local politics, successful in campaign work and passionate about liberty.