NJ redistricting ballot resolution canceled

A vote to redistrict the New Jersey Legislature was abruptly canceled Saturday night by the Democrats pushing for it.
The vote for the plan was scheduled for Monday and would have been the final legislative session of the year.
Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, both Democrats, were pushing for the proposal and said it would increase transparency.
The amendment would have changed the makeup of the commission that decides which towns are part of each of the 40 legislative districts in New Jersey.
Republicans said it was an attempt to install permanent Democratic majorities in the state Senate and Assembly. The plan received opposition from liberals, conservatives and independent experts during statehouse hearings last week.
The more Democratic or Republican voters living in a district, the easier it is for that party to be elected. The proposed amendment would have forced the redistricting commission to take into account how many people voted for president and governor.
Matt Hale, of Seton Hall University, says he believes the timing of the vote may have hurt the chances for success.
Gov. Murphy says on Twitter that he's grateful the Legislature pulled the proposal.