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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
legislative districts; population; census; citizenship
Purpose
Subject to voter approval, constitutionally requires the independent redistricting commission (IRC) to conduct a census in each year that ends in zero and create legislative districts of equal citizen population during the commencement of the mapping process.
Background
By February 28 of each year that ends in one, an IRC must be established consisting of five members, with no more than two members of the same political party, to provide for the redistricting of congressional and state legislative districts in an honest, independent and impartial fashion that upholds public confidence in the integrity of the redistricting process. The mapping process for both the congressional and legislative districts begins with the creation of districts of equal population in a grid-like pattern across Arizona and is based on the population data from the U.S. Census Bureau (Census Bureau) identical to those from the enumeration conducted by the Census Bureau for the apportionment of the representatives of the U.S. House of Representatives in the most recent U.S. census and may not be based upon Census Bureau population counts derived from any other means, including statistical sampling to add or subtract population by inference. Adjustments to the grid must be made as necessary to accommodate specified goals including that congressional districts and state legislative districts must have equal population, to the extent practicable (A.R.S. § 16-1103; Ariz. Const. art.4, pt. 2 § 1).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the IRC or other entity designated by the Legislature to conduct and complete a census by December 31 of each year that ends in zero.
2. Requires the census to include a tabulation of the number of U.S. citizens that reside in Arizona and their residences.
3. Allows the census to be conducted consistent with the procedures and methods adopted by the Census Bureau or its successor agency.
4. Requires the IRC to use the data collected from the census to determine the citizen population of each legislative district and map the legislative districts by equal citizen population, rather than equal population.
5. Stipulates that if a census is not completed by the IRC or other entity as prescribed by December 31 of any year ending in zero, then the IRC must use the most current data from the Census Bureau or its successor agency to determine the citizen population of each legislative district.
6. Prohibits the IRC, or other entity as designated by the Legislature, from employing federal practices that are inconsistent with the requirements related to the IRC census and legislative district mapping in Arizona.
7. Grants any member of the Legislature standing to initiate an action or proceeding to enforce the requirements of the IRC census and legislative district mapping.
8. Contains a statement of legislative intent.
9. Makes technical and conforming changes.
10. Requires the Secretary of State to submit the proposition to the voters at the next general election.
11. Becomes effective if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor.
House Action
MOE 2/14/24 DP 5-4-0-0
3rd Read 2/28/24 31-28-0-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 20, 2024
AN/HS/cs