Arizona Redistricting Trial Focuses on Elusive Proof of Partisan Bias

Paranoia is inherent in redistricting, even when it’s nonpartisan redistricting. A Republican backed legal challenge against the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission’s state legislative map went to trial last week and paranoia tainted every aspect of the case. The Republican plaintiffs pointed to overpopulated GOP districts versus under-populated Democratic districts as a sign that indeed the commission’s tie-breaking, independent chairwoman was actually a Democratic sympathizer, allowing Democrats on the panel to push through map scenarios favorable to their party.   They claim she never disclosed contributions to a Democratic candidate or her husband’s role as a Democratic strategist. The commission on…
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Smoking Gun in Arizona Redistricting Commission Lawsuit?

On the eve of a March 25th trial, Republican and Tea Party activists suing the Independent Arizona Redistricting Commission over alleged prohibited partisan considerations in redrawing the state’s legislative map claim to have found damning evidence to prove their case. They have won a last minute request to interview the Democratic party’s interim director after hearing from one Democratic commissioner during a deposition that she “may” have directed the commission’s mapping official to make changes given to her by the party official. Arizona Daily Sun
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