Arizona's Redistricting Commission

Redistricting directly affects the representation of people in their government. That makes redistricting one of the most critical processes in a representative democracy. Every decade, new district boundaries are redrawn to reflect population changes, influencing how communities are grouped and how effectively they can elect leaders who represent their interests. At its best, redistricting ensures fair and equal representation. At its worst, it can dilute the power of entire communities, skew political outcomes, and erode public trust. This is why the structure and decision-making behind redistricting must be scrutinized—because the stakes for democracy are enormous.

In 2000, Arizona voters passed the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC) to curb partisan gerrymandering by removing redistricting authority from the state legislature. The commission was sold to voters as a nonpartisan reform, but in reality, it replaced overt gerrymandering with a carefully disguised partisan power-sharing scheme. With more than 1.6 million registered independents in Arizona, the commission’s design raises serious concerns about exclusion and bias. Rather than offering true independence, the AIRC reflects a bipartisan bargain that leaves the largest bloc of unaffiliated voters without a seat at the table.

Arizona's population exceeds 7 million and includes a dynamic mix of cultures, communities, and lived experiences. Expecting five individuals to encapsulate that diversity in redistricting decisions is fanciful and potentially harmful. It's simply unrealistic to presume that five individuals—no matter how well-intentioned—can adequately represent or understand the diverse perspectives of the entire state. Important nuances about rural towns, tribal nations, immigrant communities, and urban neighborhoods can be missed or misunderstood. Even with public hearings and input, a small group cannot fully grasp the intricacies of every community's needs. This concentration of power increases the risk of inadvertently silencing voices or misrepresenting communities—especially those already marginalized in the political process. There is a serious possibility that the AIRC will overlook critical community interests.

Diverse representation in redistricting isn't just about fairness—it's about making better decisions that truly serve the whole population. Arizona deserves a process that invites broader participation, deeper understanding, and greater transparency. The Redistricting Committee has too much power over voter representation to leave to a handful of voices. It's time to imagine and implement a model that rises to the scale of Arizona's vibrant and varied population.