On January 21, 2022, the Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) approved the Arizona Legislative maps with a vote of 3-2; two (2) Republicans and one (1) Independent voted in favor of the maps while two (2) Democrats voted against the maps. In the Congressional maps, the initial vote was 5-0 until the Democrats got ‘the call’ from the Democrat National Committee and then the votes changed to 3-2. No surprises here. In Pima County there will be seven (7) legislative districts. Our legislative districts will cross county lines.
Why do we do this redistricting? As the 20th century opened, the House of Representatives grew to over 400 members and there was a consensus that its size had to be limited. In 1911 the House of Representatives was fixed at 433 members (with two more seats to be added if Arizona and New Mexico became states, which they did). In 1962 the Baker ruling held that the U.S. Supreme Court had the power to resolve legal challenges to the constitutionality of failing to reapportion after every census. Decisions such as Gray v. Sanders (1963), Reynolds v. Sims (1964) and Wesberry v. Sanders (1964) found that the Constitution required every state to reapportion after each census and that with the singular exception of U.S. Senate seats, all state and federal legislative districts must be of equal-population.
The question then becomes how do we do this? From statehood in 1912 until the passage of Prop 106 in 2000, the Arizona legislature controlled the drawing of congressional and legislative districts. By a vote of 56.1% to 43.9%, the electors passed Prop 106 in 2000 which chose to have redistricting done with a Commission rather than the legislature. The year 2021 was the first year Arizona has not been required to “pre-clear” their proposed maps with the U.S. Department of Justice. The authority for the Independent Redistricting Commission is found in the Arizona Constitution, Article 4, Part 2, Section 1 and the selection of the Commission is outlined on the AZSOS website. After many listening tours throughout Arizona where the Pima County Republican Party voiced their communities of interest and interest in bringing competitiveness to the legislative districts in Pima County, we are ready to organize to elect congressional and legislative representatives.
What’s next? The Chairmen of Legislative Districts (LD) 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, and 14 have been invited to meet and discuss their needs for the redistricting meetings and resources for moving those meetings forward. Following the meeting, Precinct Committeemen will be hearing from the LD Chairs about upcoming meetings. It’s change. Change is never easy. Remember, our job is to elect a senator and two (2) representatives from each LD. Let’s do our job. Join me in getting representation in our LDs by electing our Republican candidates.