The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC), chaired by the "unsinkable" Colleen Mathis, has approved maps for the next decade.
The maps vary little from the drafts proposed on 16 December by Chairwoman Mathis, viewable on Google Maps here. (Update: 12/20 tentative-final maps on Google maps)
The press release detailing changes is available here.
As expected, the congressional map passed along a "party-line" vote, with the two Democratic commissioners voting "yea", the two Republicans "nay", and the independent Mathis voting "yea".
The legislative maps are available on Google maps as well. (Update: 12/20 tentative-final maps on Google maps)
I'm sure everyone remembers the drama from when Governor Jan Brewer tried to remove Chairwoman Mathis last month- and was rebuffed not once, but twice (!) by the State Supreme Court.
Now, with that behind us, Mathis has produced a set of fairly competitive maps that leave Democratic chances for 5-4 delegations a very real possibility. It also creates the first independent-majority district (neither R or D advantage), and the first district in the state with the chance to send a Native American to DC.
While the maps do have 4 safe Republican seats, Democrats have 2 and the remaining 3 are competitive - which may serve to temper the Arizona delegation's conservative slide.
As a plus, it throws incumbent Republicans Ben Quayle and Dave Schweikert into a fight for a safe district.
Merry Redistmas, everyone.
11:32 AM PT: Final maps have been posted to:
http://www.azredistricting.org/...
Links are being updated.