YOUR THOUGHTS: IS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION INDEPENDENT?

posted by Melanie Huonker

The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission continues to hold public meetings this week. Today it will meet in Phoenix at noon and tomorrow in Tempe at 10 a.m.

The commission remains under fire for alleged violation with the open meeting law and destruction of documents.

The commission’s once-in-a-decade task at hand involves redrawing Arizona’s nine congressional district lines and the state's 30 legislative district lines to comply with the U.S. Census and redistricting requirements.

Currently, the commission is in the mapping phase. Plans call for the commission to submit a final map to the Justice Department by November. Last week, state Attorney General Tom Horne asked a judge to order the commission's two Democrats, Linda McNulty and José Herrera, and independent chairwoman Colleen Mathis to cooperate with his investigation.

This action brings to light again Arizona’s rough history when it comes to redistricting. That’s what prompted voters to initiate Proposition 106, which took away the Legislature’s power to redraw district lines and transferred it to an independent commission.

Do you feel that the commission has done its job to depoliticize the task? If you could address the commission what would you say? Arizona Week wants to hear from you.

Next week we find out if the political influence on redistricting has diminished as was the intent of the voters.