Every 10 years across America, we re-draw the district lines to accommodate changes in population all over the country. The census questions that you answered in 2010 are used to count the number of residents as we create districts boundaries in 2011.
The 1991 redistricting process was done by the state Senate. As you might guess, it created districts that favored incumbents and that were stretched out, oddly shaped and which made no sense to the average voter. Voters were angry and frustrated.
In 2000, Arizona voters passed an initiative that created the Independent Redistricting Commission. The intent of the law was to create districts that were less gerrymandered and more competitive. There were six criteria that were to be used for the redistricting process.
Well, we actually ended up with less than half as many competitive districts after the 2001 process as we had after the 1991 process. Our state legislature is even more divided and road blocked because there is little incentive to find common ground on important issues.
We still have a redistricting commission. And, while it has its flaws and politicians have found ways to exploit its process, we, the people, have the right and the power to make a difference.
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