Supreme Court Upholds Arizona Redistricting Commission, Warding Off Gerrymandering

[Mike Honcho 5,412]

Hopefully more states will now follow the lead of AZ & CA in creating independent committees to create congressional districts now. That would be one small step in returning the power back to the people, rather then current system where the houses have approval ratings in the 10% range, yet retain 90% of their members each election.

 

 

Slate

 

On Monday the Supreme Court upheld Arizona's nonpartisan redistricting commission in a surprise 5–4 vote. The case arose after Arizona voters took congressional redistricting out of the state legislature’s hands and placed the task in the hands of an independent commission—all to prevent partisan gerrymandering of congressional districts. Republicans in the state legislature sued. As I explained in March:

 

 

 

 

Power to the Partisans

 

Here are the basic facts behind Monday’s case, Arizona State Legislature v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. In 2000, Arizona voters approved a ballot initiative, Proposition 106, that took congressional redistricting out of the state legislature’s hands. For decades the controlling party in the statehouse had used redistricting to put members of its own party in the House of Representatives through partisan gerrymandering. Under Proposition 106, the task of redistricting was put entirely in the hands of an independent commission. The system has worked remarkably well: Thanks to the commission’s redistricting efforts, Arizona’s House seats are consistently competitive.

 

 

[Vikings4ever 568]

Not that I oppose the ruling, but tell me this isn't gerrymandered.

[jerryskids 7,052]

Not that I oppose the ruling, but tell me this isn't gerrymandered.

Why do you think it is? The Phoenix metro area has most of the people in the state.

[Mike Honcho 5,412]

Not that I oppose the ruling, but tell me this isn't gerrymandered.

 

Based on my limited knowledge of AZ, it looks to be split up by population, also from my reading, AZ wants to ensure as many competive races as possible, which is what's been happening in 3 of the districts. The other 6 are split up pretty evenly.

 

If you want real gerrymandering, check out America's most gerrymandered districts

[Vikings4ever 568]

Why do you think it is? The Phoenix metro area has most of the people in the state.

I'm not talking about the metro area. I'm talking about (mainly) districts 1 and 4. Although 2 and 3 also could probably be cleaned up.

[Mike Honcho 5,412]

I'm not talking about the metro area. I'm talking about (mainly) districts 1 and 4. Although 2 and 3 also could probably be cleaned up.

 

I'm for any system that is a step in the direction that gives voters the most chance to un-elect ineffective legislators. This is has become a despicable practice by both parties, and even if AZ's districts are perfect the people by referendum have taken the first step into reclaiming some of the power stolen from them by big money/big politics. I applaud them and SCOTUS for taking and allowing this small step in restoring democracy to the people. It's my sincerest hope that this spreads to more states.

[Vikings4ever 568]

 

I'm for any system that is a step in the direction that gives voters the most chance to un-elect ineffective legislators. This is has become a despicable practice by both parties, and even if AZ's districts are perfect the people by referendum have taken the first step into reclaiming some of the power stolen from them by big money/big politics. I applaud them and SCOTUS for taking and allowing this small step in restoring democracy to the people. It's my sincerest hope that this spreads to more states.

The problem with the current system is that nobody gives a **** about the primaries. If they did, then more terrible legislators could be voted out.

 

I'm not opposed to independent commissions being given the power of redistricting. On the contrary, I think it's a good idea. But trying to artificially create competitive races are no more fair to the people than trying to artificially create safe districts. If you want actual fairness, give the commission ONLY population figures. Not voting histories, not incomes, not racial makeups. Tell them to make the districts as square as possible, with populations as close as possible, and you've got yourself an election map.

[Greedo 13]

The best we can ask for is an independent, non-partisan commission. Thank you SCOTUS for a comeback year after many years of epic fails, highlighted by Citizens United.

[wiffleball 4,797]

I think Seinfeld missed a golden opportunity to do an episode on jerry mandering