gested here, would that be applicable
throughout the State, or could there be
some areas that would be single member
districts and some multiple?
DELEGATE GILCHRIST: Some could
be single member districts, others multiple
member districts.
DELEGATE SOLLINS: That would be
within the latitude of the legislature.
DELEGATE GILCHRIST: There are 55
legislative bodies in the United States, in-
cluding both senates and houses, out of 99,
that are currently using this system.
THE CHAIRMAN: Are there any
further questions?
Delegate Sherbow.
DELEGATE SHERBOW: I understood
earlier in the day when we began this dis-
cussion that the attempt was to limit the
amendments to the subject of the number
of representatives in the General Assem-
bly, and the matter of how they shall be
elected. The matter of districts was taken
out of the Committee's proposal and later
also taken out of the first amendment to
the proposal. I take it then that on this
amendment, if we are going to follow the
other precedents, the only matter that
would be before us would be the total num-
ber and the ratio of that number as be-
tween the senate and the house. Am 1 cor-
rect?
THE CHAIRMAN: The only way we
could accomplish that with the amendment
drawn the way it is is to separate the
amendment into two parts, the first con-
sisting of lines 8 down to and including the
first two words of line 18, and the second
one consisting of lines 18 to 21.
DELEGATE GILCHRIST: Yes, Mr.
Chairman. I believe it is susceptible of
division.
THE CHAIRMAN: Does Delegate Sher-
bow desire such division?
DELEGATE SHERBOW: 1 so move.
I would like to see us keep that orderly
procedure, because one part I may be for
and another part I may be against, and
there may be others in the same situation.
THE CHAIRMAN: I think it is dubious
that it can be divided quite that way. As
a practical matter I think we should do so.
Therefore, the Chair will provide the ques-
tion. The question before you when the
amendment is offered will be as I have
indicated. |
Are there any further questions of the
minority spokesman?
Delegate Sollins.
DELEGATE SOLLINS: Delegate Gil-
christ, as I understand it, the maximum
number that we could have in the House
under the proposal would be 144?
DELEGATE GILCHRIST: That is cor-
rect. When you establish a three-to-one
ratio, or a four-to-one ratio—
DELEGATE SOLLINS: Based on popu-
lation figures we have for 1970, Delegate
Gilchrist, how many counties, even at 144
would still not have a delegate that they
could call their own?
DELEGATE GILCHRIST: Thank you
for asking that question.
We have districted the Senate on the
basis of the estimated population in 1970,
and the only place in which there is any
problem with this is that there is a possi-
bility, obviously, where there are groups of
counties, that you may not have one; but
if a four-to-one ratio were established, for
example, and a maximum of 144, there
would be two senators and eight delegates
from the Eastern Shore, excluding Cecil
County.
This would permit one delegate to be
elected from each of the counties that are
involved in the district.
I am not saying that these necessarily
will be elected from there. What I say is
that there is a possibility of people being
elected from each of those counties, and
this is the only system I have seen that
does provide it.
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Sollins,
just a minute.
Delegate Gilchrist, did you mean that
answer, one delegate for each county? You
would have four delegates in each county.
DELEGATE GILCHRIST: Four dele-
gates in each senatorial district.
DELEGATE SOLLINS: But you are
not suggesting in your recommendation a
resident requirement, are you?
DELEGATE GILCHRIST: No.
DELEGATE SOLLINS: Four delegates
could come from one county and none from
another, under your proposal?
DELEGATE GILCHRIST: I think you
would find it very difficult to get in the |
