ARIZONA NEWS

Arizona redistricting committee approves draft maps; public hearings to follow

Oct 29, 2021, 9:40 AM | Updated: 9:43 am

(Arizona Independent Redistricting Committee)...

(Arizona Independent Redistricting Committee)

(Arizona Independent Redistricting Committee)

PHOENIX – The bipartisan panel drawing Arizona’s congressional and legislative districts for the next decade approved draft maps Thursday, moving a monthslong process into its final phase.

After a 30-day public comment period, the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission will meet to finalize new boundaries for the state’s nine congressional and 30 legislative districts.

Interactive versions of maps and other information about the redistricting process can be found on the AIRC website. The boundaries could still change before the final versions are adopted.

The commission will schedule hearings at sites across the state, where the public will be able to participate in person or remotely. The dates and locations will be posted at online when they are determined.

The process started in September with the creation of grid maps of equal populations to use as starting points. The next phase was to adjust the boundaries based on goals mandated by the Arizona Constitution.

For phase three, the commission met publicly nine days this month and deliberated over more than seven series of congressional maps and 10 series of legislative maps before settling on the approved drafts, according to a press release.

The committee expects to complete the final phase in December.

The AIRC was created to redraw boundaries every 10 years, in conjunction with the U.S. Census, when voters passed Proposition 106 in a 2000 initiative. Previously, it was the Legislature’s task.

The five-member panel is made up of Democrats Derrick Watchman and Shereen Lerner, Republicans Douglas York and David Mehl, and an independent chair who was selected by the partisan members, Chandler psychologist Erika Neuberg.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap has downsized his external communications staff from seven to ...

Associated Press

New Maricopa County recorder signals shift away from combating disinformation

Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap is moving away from the office's previous efforts to combat misinformation.

32 minutes ago

2025 flu season worse than it's been in 15 years, data shows...

Serena O'Sullivan

Arizona nurse practitioner says this flu season is worse than last

The 2025 flu season is hitting Arizonans hard, with some patients staying sick for a whole week, according to a Banner Health nurse practitioner.

2 hours ago

climate change, young people, Mesa...

Roxanne De La Rosa

Young adults and teens combat climate change through Mesa initiative

A new Mesa grant initiative will allow young adults and teens to compete for funding for projects and ideas that address climate change.

3 hours ago

Fountain Hills law enforcement...

Roxanne De La Rosa

Fountain Hills announces drop in law enforcement costs without reduced service

A law enforcement contract between Fountain Hills and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office will drop in cost in the upcoming year without any reduction in service.

3 hours ago

Investigators look at a crashed Learjet at Scottsdale Airport after it collided with a parked plane...

Associated Press

1 killed, 3 injured in Scottsdale Airport runway crash involving Mötley Crüe singer’s plane

One person died and three others were hurt when a plane owned by Mötley Crüe's singer collided with another plane the Scottsdale Airport runway.

11 hours ago

drug bust...

Roxanne De La Rosa

Police arrest 5 suspects in social media drug ring

Five suspects took part in a social media drug ring and were arrested for trafficking military style weapons, firearms and drugs.

11 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to save money on retirement planning following 2024 election

PHOENIX -- With the 2024 election over, economic changes could impact how people plan for retirement as 2025 is on the horizon.

...

The UPS Store

How The UPS Store is giving back to the community

PHOENIX -- As 2024 nears a close, The UPS Store is looking to give back to the Arizona community with the holiday season approaching.

Arizona redistricting committee approves draft maps; public hearings to follow