Yesterday, the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission voted in favor of newly revised maps on a 3-2 margin.
The two Democrats sided with Independent Chair Colleen Mathis. One Republican voted against, citing lack of knowledge of the newly introduced maps, and one Republican abstained. I hate to say it, but I agree with the Republicans on this one.
The new maps aren't perfect, but signal the beginning of the end of AIRC's work on Congressional redistricting. For some, especially in Pima, Pinal, and Maricopa Counties, this process has been full of ups and downs.
The latest maps split the Tucson metro into thirds, and only divide Pinal County twice (the third division is a negligible inclusion of the Tohono O'odham reservation).
I hope that Baja Kossacks close to this news are going to write more about the Baja focus soon.
On a personal note, I'll be speaking at the AIRC meeting tomorrow afternoon regarding the division of my community into District 8 and District 6. Given the choice, I'll take my chances with Ben Quayle in the rest of NE Phoenix as opposed to Trent Franks and the Sun City folks.
On a general note, if anyone has any qualms about the new AIRC maps, you absolutely, ABSOLUTELY, have to comment at the next AIRC meeting in Tempe tomorrow!
This is the last meeting that has the congressional maps on the agenda for this week. What does that mean? That means comments received in future meetings will be only answered with a "Staff, go study that," rather than any sort of immediate response by the commissioners. As we all know, the chance of having an issue addressed decreases rapidly as time extends outwards.
YOU MUST:
Call: (855) REDISTRICT or (855) 733-7478 or (602) 542-5221
Email: HERE
OR (Preferred)
Show UP:
Location: Fiesta Resort – Galleria Ballroom
2100 S. Priest Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85282
Date: Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Time: 2:00 P.M.
PM me here or on Twitter (@theGavino) if you want to meet up/compare notes. I should be there shortly after 2PM.