Arizona Overview

Redistricting Process: Arizona’s independent redistricting commission controls the congressional redistricting process as well as the state legislative redistricting process. Arizona’s Proposition 106 created the first largely independent redistricting commission in the United States. The commission’s congressional plan has been in effect since 2001.

The commissioners are selected by caucus leaders in the state legislature; however, their choices are limited to a short list of candidates selected by the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments.

The Arizona Constitution lays out the commission’s redistricting priorities. First, it requires compliance with all federal laws and the U.S. Constitution. Then, in descending order of precedence, it requires districts to have equal population, be contiguous and compact, respect communities of interest, use visible geographic features and political boundaries, and promote competition where practicable and where there is no significant detriment to the preceding requirements.

While most of Arizona’s districts are very compact, the two congressional districts of Northern Arizona have odd shapes. This is a product of centuries’ old rivalries between the Hopi and Navajo tribes. The Hopi requested not to be in the same congressional district as the Navajo. The Arizona Redistricting Commission respected this request, resulting in two oddly shaped districts.

The legislative plan and congressional plan adopted by the Independent Redistricting Commission become law with no action by the legislature or governor.

Governor: Republican Jan Brewer

Legislature: Republicans control both chambers.

Number of Congressional Seats in 2011: 9 (+1 since 2010)

2011 Ideal District Population: 710,224

Link to Arizona Independent Redistricting Committee