Public News Service: Report: AZ Earns ‘B minus’ grade for redistricting practices

10.20.2023 / By Alex Gonzalez
Public News Service: Report: AZ Earns 'B minus' grade for redistricting practices

Jenny Guzman, program director for Common Cause Arizona, says the AIRC can be a lot stronger and more independent. "The way the current Arizona redistricting commission works is in order to appoint commissioners, the first few have to be appointed by the Arizona state party leaders. That can make things a little tricky," she explained. Guzman said that meant fewer "guardrails" to ensure all races were properly represented in the redistricting process. She says this negatively impacted Arizona. "Which is why we lost a state legislative district that empowered Native American voters, so because of that it is really important to ensure that moving forward, the Arizona legislature and also the courts are able to uphold the Voting Rights Act of 1965," she continued. Guzman added if that is not achieved, she supports what she calls "comprehensive voting rights reform," that includes clauses for the independent redistricting commission.

Jenny Guzman, program director for Common Cause Arizona, says the AIRC can be a lot stronger and more independent.

“The way the current Arizona redistricting commission works is in order to appoint commissioners, the first few have to be appointed by the Arizona state party leaders. That can make things a little tricky,” she explained.

Guzman said that meant fewer “guardrails” to ensure all races were properly represented in the redistricting process. She says this negatively impacted Arizona.

“Which is why we lost a state legislative district that empowered Native American voters, so because of that it is really important to ensure that moving forward, the Arizona legislature and also the courts are able to uphold the Voting Rights Act of 1965,” she continued.

Guzman added if that is not achieved, she supports what she calls “comprehensive voting rights reform,” that includes clauses for the independent redistricting commission.

 

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See More: Gerrymandering/RedistrictingGerrymandering & Representation