Could the highly political redistricting process be more independent? San Antonio may find out

When Carlton Soules served on San Antonio City Council a decade ago, he had what seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime chance to influence the next 10 years of city politics. Political boundaries are redrawn every decade based on population changes seen in the U.S. Census. Called redistricting, the process often plays out as a contentious political battle across the U.S. If they play their cards right, elected officials can essentially choose their voters by extending a boundary or moving a neighborhood out of a district — also known as gerrymandering. Ten years ago, redistricting discussions between Soules and other council members mostly happened behind closed doors. This time around, however, City Council attempted to put some distance between elected officials and the politically charged process by appointing residents to create a map that will be approved by the council.

Soules was appointed to the redistricting advisory committee by District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry to represent the North Side district. Now, Soules has a second opportunity in a more public forum that allows residents to participate. “I think being transparent is better, especially because of the lack of faith in government,” Soules said. “But it’s a more cumbersome process and takes much longer.” San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said he created the advisory committee to ensure citizens had a role in redistricting, and he’s supportive of officially removing City Council from the process. But it would take a city charter amendment approved by voters to make the change permanent. “I’m inclined to support anything that further codifies the independence of the redistricting process from the politics of elected offices,” he said. When the next city charter review comes up, Nirenberg would like voters to consider making an independent redistricting commission a formal part of the process.