ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fourth Legislature Second Regular Session
	Senate: JUD DP 4-3-0-0 | 3^rd Read 16-14-0-0

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SCR1018: independent redistricting commission; population standards

Sponsor:  Senator Mesnard, LD 17

Committee on Elections

Overview

Stipulates that the difference between the populations of the largest legislative district and the smallest legislative district must not exceed 5,000 people.

History

The Independent Redistricting Commission (Commission) was established November 7, 2000 by an initiative measure, Proposition 106.  By February 28 of each year that ends in one, a Commission must be established in order to redistrict congressional and state legislative districts.  The Commission consists of five members of which no more than two members may be of the same political party.  The Arizona Constitution makes additional specified requirements for the membership of the Commission.

The Commission is charged with establishing congressional and legislative districts.  The beginning of the mapping process is the creation of congressional and legislative districts that are of equal population in a grid-like pattern across the state.  The Commission must make any necessary adjustments to the grid in order to accommodate the goals prescribed in the Constitution, including that the districts comply with the United States Constitution and the Voting Rights Act and that both the congressional and legislative districts have equal population to the extent practicable (AZ Const. Art. IV, Part 2, §1).

Provisions

1. Specifies that the population of the largest legislative district by population must not exceed the population of the smallest legislative district by population by more than 5,000 people.

2. Directs the Secretary of State to submit this proposition to the voters at the next general election.

3. Contains a legislative findings and purpose clause.

4. Makes technical and conforming changes.

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8.                   SCR 1018

9. Initials SJ  Page 0 Elections

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