Last week, the New Hampshire Senate refused to approve the latest redistricting plan, instead opting to form a committee of conference to negotiate a compromise. The three Senate and four House appointees will have until May 19 to sign off on plan, with votes in both chambers by May 26.

Democrats currently hold both U.S. House seats, but Republicans control the redistricting process required to bring the districts in line with population changes over the last decade. Lawmakers passed a plan in March that would benefit the GOP in the 1st District, but Republican Gov. Chris Sununu promised to veto it. He’s also criticized a plan the House passed last week that would clump together communities along the I-93 corridor and shift more than 40% of the population into a different district.

House Speaker Sherm Packard and Senate President Chuck Morse issued a joint statement saying they are confident negotiators will be “transparent, inclusive and ultimately successful in their efforts” and will create a map that is constitutional and fair.

Meanwhile, the state Supreme Court issued an opinion in a lawsuit brought by former House Speaker Terie Norelli and others last month. The court agreed with the plaintiffs that holding the 2022 elections under the current maps would violate the Constitution because of the changes in population, and said if the Legislature and governor remain at in impasse, it will use a “least change” approach in drawing the boundary lines.

The court said the special master it has selected for the case will use the existing districts as a benchmark.

No matter the approach, lawmakers need to put aside their differences and get a workable and acceptable plan passed.