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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2002

A trial regarding the political maps in New Mexico continued on Tuesday with a demographic expert testifying on behalf of the Navajo Nation.

Richard Engstrom, a political scientist at the University of New Orleans and a consultant for the tribe, said he drew a map of House districts with a certain threshold in mind. A district must have 60 percent of Navajo voters in order for them to elect a candidate of their choosing, he said.

A state judge is hearing the case to decide how to draw the House districts. The tribe has proposed a partial map and want six Navajo majority districts in the northwestern part of the state.

The Jicarilla Apache Nation in northern New Mexico is also involved in the suit and President Claudia Vigil-Muñiz testified that she wants her tribe in a majority Indian district.

Get the Story:
Redistricting plan pairs house seats (AP 1/9)
Demographer: Indians Should Be 60% of District Population (AP 1/8)

Relevant Links:
Navajo Nation - http://www.navajo.org

Related Stories:
Navajo districts sought in N.M. (1/8)
N.M. lawmaker wants Indian friendly House (1/7)