PROPOSITION 106
OFFICIAL TITLE
AN INITIATIVE MEASURE
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF ARIZONA; AMENDING ARTICLE IV, PART 2, SECTION 1, CONSTITUTION OF ARIZONA; RELATING TO ENDING THE PRACTICE OF GERRYMANDERING AND IMPROVING VOTER AND CANDIDATE PARTICIPATION IN ELECTIONS BY CREATING AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION OF BALANCED APPOINTMENTS TO OVERSEE THE MAPPING OF FAIR AND COMPETITIVE CONGRESSIONAL AND LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS.
TEXT OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ARIZONA:
ARTICLE IV, PART 2, SECTION 1, CONSTITUTION OF ARIZONA, IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS IF APPROVED BY THE VOTERS AND UPON PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR:
1. Senate; house of representatives; members; special session upon petition of members; CONGRESSIONAL AND LEGISLATIVE BOUNDARIES; CITIZEN COMMISSIONS
Section 1. (1) The senate shall be composed of one member elected from each of the thirty legislative districts established by the legislature PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.
The house of representatives shall be composed of two members elected from each of the thirty legislative districts established by the legislature PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.
(2) Upon the presentation to the governor of a petition bearing the signatures of not less than two-thirds of the members of each house, requesting that he call a special session of the legislature and designating the date of convening, the governor shall forthwith PROMPTLY call a special session to assemble on the date specified. At a special session so called the subjects which may be considered by the legislature shall not be limited.
(3) BY FEBRUARY 28 OF EACH YEAR THAT ENDS IN ONE, AN INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION SHALL BE ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE FOR THE REDISTRICTING OF CONGRESSIONAL AND STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS. THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION SHALL CONSIST OF FIVE MEMBERS. NO MORE THAN TWO MEMBERS OF THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION SHALL BE MEMBERS OF THE SAME POLITICAL PARTY. OF THE FIRST FOUR MEMBERS APPOINTED, NO MORE THAN TWO SHALL RESIDE IN THE SAME COUNTY. EACH MEMBER SHALL BE A REGISTERED ARIZONA VOTER WHO HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY REGISTERED WITH THE SAME POLITICAL PARTY OR REGISTERED AS UNAFFILIATED WITH A POLITICAL PARTY FOR THREE OR MORE YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING APPOINTMENT, WHO IS COMMITTED TO APPLYING THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION IN AN HONEST, INDEPENDENT AND IMPARTIAL FASHION AND TO UPHOLDING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE INTEGRITY OF THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS. WITHIN THE THREE YEARS PREVIOUS TO APPOINTMENT, MEMBERS SHALL NOT HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO, ELECTED TO, OR A CANDIDATE FOR ANY OTHER PUBLIC OFFICE, INCLUDING PRECINCT COMMITTEEMAN OR COMMITTEEWOMAN BUT NOT INCLUDING SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER OR OFFICER, AND SHALL NOT HAVE SERVED AS AN OFFICER OF A POLITICAL PARTY, OR SERVED AS A REGISTERED PAID LOBBYIST OR AS AN OFFICER OF A CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE.
(4) THE COMMISSION ON APPELLATE COURT APPOINTMENTS SHALL NOMINATE CANDIDATES FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION, EXCEPT THAT, IF A POLITICALLY BALANCED COMMISSION EXISTS WHOSE MEMBERS ARE NOMINATED BY THE COMMISSION ON APPELLATE COURT APPOINTMENTS AND WHOSE REGULAR DUTIES RELATE TO THE ELECTIVE PROCESS, THE COMMISSION ON APPELLATE COURT APPOINTMENTS MAY DELEGATE TO SUCH EXISTING COMMISSION (HEREINAFTER CALLED THE COMMISSION ON APPELLATE COURT APPOINTMENTS' DESIGNEE) THE DUTY OF NOMINATING MEMBERS FOR THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION, AND ALL OTHER DUTIES ASSIGNED TO THE COMMISSION ON APPELLATE COURT APPOINTMENTS IN THIS SECTION.
(5) BY JANUARY 8 OF YEARS ENDING IN ONE, THE COMMISSION ON APPELLATE COURT APPOINTMENTS OR ITS DESIGNEE SHALL ESTABLISH A POOL OF PERSONS WHO ARE WILLING TO SERVE ON AND ARE QUALIFIED FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION. THE POOL OF CANDIDATES SHALL CONSIST OF TWENTY-FIVE NOMINEES, WITH TEN NOMINEES FROM EACH OF THE TWO LARGEST POLITICAL PARTIES IN ARIZONA BASED ON PARTY REGISTRATION, AND FIVE WHO ARE NOT REGISTERED WITH EITHER OF THE TWO LARGEST POLITICAL PARTIES IN ARIZONA.
(6) APPOINTMENTS TO THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION SHALL BE MADE IN THE ORDER SET FORTH BELOW. NO LATER THAN JANUARY 31 OF YEARS ENDING IN ONE, THE HIGHEST RANKING OFFICER ELECTED BY THE ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SHALL MAKE ONE APPOINTMENT TO THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION FROM THE POOL OF NOMINEES, FOLLOWED BY ONE APPOINTMENT FROM THE POOL MADE IN TURN BY EACH OF THE FOLLOWING: THE MINORITY PARTY LEADER OF THE ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE HIGHEST RANKING OFFICER ELECTED BY THE ARIZONA SENATE, AND THE MINORITY PARTY LEADER OF THE ARIZONA SENATE. EACH SUCH OFFICIAL SHALL HAVE A SEVEN-DAY PERIOD IN WHICH TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. ANY OFFICIAL WHO FAILS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED TIME PERIOD WILL FORFEIT THE APPOINTMENT PRIVILEGE. IN THE EVENT THAT THERE ARE TWO OR MORE MINORITY PARTIES WITHIN THE HOUSE OR THE SENATE, THE LEADER OF THE LARGEST MINORITY PARTY BY STATEWIDE PARTY REGISTRATION SHALL MAKE THE APPOINTMENT.
(7) ANY VACANCY IN THE ABOVE FOUR INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION POSITIONS REMAINING AS OF MARCH 1 OF A YEAR ENDING IN ONE SHALL BE FILLED FROM THE POOL OF NOMINEES BY THE COMMISSION ON APPELLATE COURT APPOINTMENTS OR ITS DESIGNEE. THE APPOINTING BODY SHALL STRIVE FOR POLITICAL BALANCE AND FAIRNESS.
(8) AT A MEETING CALLED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE, THE FOUR INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION MEMBERS SHALL SELECT BY MAJORITY VOTE FROM THE NOMINATION POOL A FIFTH MEMBER WHO SHALL NOT BE REGISTERED WITH ANY PARTY ALREADY REPRESENTED ON THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION AND WHO SHALL SERVE AS CHAIR. IF THE FOUR COMMISSIONERS FAIL TO APPOINT A FIFTH MEMBER WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS, THE COMMISSION ON APPELLATE COURT APPOINTMENTS OR ITS DESIGNEE, STRIVING FOR POLITICAL BALANCE AND FAIRNESS, SHALL APPOINT A FIFTH MEMBER FROM THE NOMINATION POOL, WHO SHALL SERVE AS CHAIR.
(9) THE FIVE COMMISSIONERS SHALL THEN SELECT BY MAJORITY VOTE ONE OF THEIR MEMBERS TO SERVE AS VICE-CHAIR.
(10) AFTER HAVING BEEN SERVED WRITTEN NOTICE AND PROVIDED WITH AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A RESPONSE, A MEMBER OF THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION MAY BE REMOVED BY THE GOVERNOR, WITH THE CONCURRENCE OF TWO-THIRDS OF THE SENATE, FOR SUBSTANTIAL NEGLECT OF DUTY, GROSS MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE, OR INABILITY TO DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF OFFICE.
(11) IF A COMMISSIONER OR CHAIR DOES NOT COMPLETE THE TERM OF OFFICE FOR ANY REASON, THE COMMISSION ON APPELLATE COURT APPOINTMENTS OR ITS DESIGNEE SHALL NOMINATE A POOL OF THREE CANDIDATES WITHIN THE FIRST THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE VACANCY OCCURS. THE NOMINEES SHALL BE OF THE SAME POLITICAL PARTY OR STATUS AS WAS THE MEMBER WHO VACATED THE OFFICE AT THE TIME OF HIS OR HER APPOINTMENT, AND THE APPOINTMENT OTHER THAN THE CHAIR SHALL BE MADE BY THE CURRENT HOLDER OF THE OFFICE DESIGNATED TO MAKE THE ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT. THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW CHAIR SHALL BE MADE BY THE REMAINING COMMISSIONERS. IF THE APPOINTMENT OF A REPLACEMENT COMMISSIONER OR CHAIR IS NOT MADE WITHIN FOURTEEN DAYS FOLLOWING THE PRESENTATION OF THE NOMINEES, THE COMMISSION ON APPELLATE COURT APPOINTMENTS OR ITS DESIGNEE SHALL MAKE THE APPOINTMENT, STRIVING FOR POLITICAL BALANCE AND FAIRNESS. THE NEWLY APPOINTED COMMISSIONER SHALL SERVE OUT THE REMAINDER OF THE ORIGINAL TERM.
(12) THREE COMMISSIONERS, INCLUDING THE CHAIR OR VICE-CHAIR, CONSTITUTE A QUORUM. THREE OR MORE AFFIRMATIVE VOTES ARE REQUIRED FOR ANY OFFICIAL ACTION. WHERE A QUORUM IS PRESENT, THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION SHALL CONDUCT BUSINESS IN MEETINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, WITH 48 OR MORE HOURS PUBLIC NOTICE PROVIDED.
(13) A COMMISSIONER, DURING THE COMMISSIONER'S TERM OF OFFICE AND FOR THREE YEARS THEREAFTER, SHALL BE INELIGIBLE FOR ARIZONA PUBLIC OFFICE OR FOR REGISTRATION AS A PAID LOBBYIST.
(14) THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION SHALL ESTABLISH CONGRESSIONAL AND LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS. THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE MAPPING PROCESS FOR BOTH THE CONGRESSIONAL AND LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS SHALL BE THE CREATION OF DISTRICTS OF EQUAL POPULATION IN A GRID-LIKE PATTERN ACROSS THE STATE. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE GRID SHALL THEN BE MADE AS NECESSARY TO ACCOMMODATE THE GOALS AS SET FORTH BELOW:
A. DISTRICTS SHALL COMPLY WITH THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND THE UNITED STATES VOTING RIGHTS ACT;
B. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS SHALL HAVE EQUAL POPULATION TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, AND STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS SHALL HAVE EQUAL POPULATION TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE;
C. DISTRICTS SHALL BE GEOGRAPHICALLY COMPACT AND CONTIGUOUS TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE;
D. DISTRICT BOUNDARIES SHALL RESPECT COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE;
E. TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, DISTRICT LINES SHALL USE VISIBLE GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES, CITY, TOWN AND COUNTY BOUNDARIES, AND UNDIVIDED CENSUS TRACTS;
F. TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, COMPETITIVE DISTRICTS SHOULD BE FAVORED WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CREATE NO SIGNIFICANT DETRIMENT TO THE OTHER GOALS.
(15) PARTY REGISTRATION AND VOTING HISTORY DATA SHALL BE EXCLUDED FROM THE INITIAL PHASE OF THE MAPPING PROCESS BUT MAY BE USED TO TEST MAPS FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE ABOVE GOALS. THE PLACES OF RESIDENCE OF INCUMBENTS OR CANDIDATES SHALL NOT BE IDENTIFIED OR CONSIDERED.
(16) THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION SHALL ADVERTISE A DRAFT MAP OF CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS AND A DRAFT MAP OF LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS TO THE PUBLIC FOR COMMENT, WHICH COMMENT SHALL BE TAKEN FOR AT LEAST THIRTY DAYS. EITHER OR BOTH BODIES OF THE LEGISLATURE MAY ACT WITHIN THIS PERIOD TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION BY MEMORIAL OR BY MINORITY REPORT, WHICH RECOMMENDATIONS SHALL BE CONSIDERED BY THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION. THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION SHALL THEN ESTABLISH FINAL DISTRICT BOUNDARIES.
(17) THE PROVISIONS REGARDING THIS SECTION ARE SELF-EXECUTING. THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION SHALL CERTIFY TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL AND LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS.
(18) UPON APPROVAL OF THIS AMENDMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION OR ITS SUCCESSOR SHALL MAKE ADEQUATE OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE FOR THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION. THE TREASURER OF THE STATE SHALL MAKE $6,000,000 AVAILABLE FOR THE WORK OF THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION PURSUANT TO THE YEAR 2000 CENSUS. UNUSED MONIES SHALL BE RETURNED TO THE STATE'S GENERAL FUND. IN YEARS ENDING IN EIGHT OR NINE AFTER THE YEAR 2001, THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION OR ITS SUCCESSOR SHALL SUBMIT TO THE LEGISLATURE A RECOMMENDATION FOR AN APPROPRIATION FOR ADEQUATE REDISTRICTING EXPENSES AND SHALL MAKE AVAILABLE ADEQUATE OFFICE SPACE FOR THE OPERATION OF THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION. THE LEGISLATURE SHALL MAKE THE NECESSARY APPROPRIATIONS BY A MAJORITY VOTE.
(19) THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION, WITH FISCAL OVERSIGHT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION OR ITS SUCCESSOR, SHALL HAVE PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTING AUTHORITY AND MAY HIRE STAFF AND CONSULTANTS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, INCLUDING LEGAL REPRESENTATION.
(20) THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION SHALL HAVE STANDING IN LEGAL ACTIONS REGARDING THE REDISTRICTING PLAN AND THE ADEQUACY OF RESOURCES PROVIDED FOR THE OPERATION OF THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION. THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION SHALL HAVE SOLE AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL OR COUNSEL HIRED OR SELECTED BY THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION SHALL REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF ARIZONA IN THE LEGAL DEFENSE OF A REDISTRICTING PLAN.
(21) MEMBERS OF THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION ARE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES PURSUANT TO LAW, AND A MEMBER'S RESIDENCE IS DEEMED TO BE THE MEMBER'S POST OF DUTY FOR PURPOSES OF REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES.
(22) EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION OR ITS SUCCESSOR SHALL NOT INFLUENCE OR ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE THE DISTRICT-MAPPING DECISIONS OF THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION.
(23) EACH COMMISSIONER'S DUTIES ESTABLISHED BY THIS SECTION EXPIRE UPON THE APPOINTMENT OF THE FIRST MEMBER OF THE NEXT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION. THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION SHALL NOT MEET OR INCUR EXPENSES AFTER THE REDISTRICTING PLAN IS COMPLETED, EXCEPT IF LITIGATION OR ANY GOVERNMENT APPROVAL OF THE PLAN IS PENDING, OR TO REVISE DISTRICTS IF REQUIRED BY COURT DECISIONS OR IF THE NUMBER OF CONGRESSIONAL OR LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS IS CHANGED.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHALL SUBMIT THIS PROPOSITION TO THE VOTERS AT THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION.
ANALYSIS BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Proposition 106 would amend the Arizona Constitution to establish an appointed Redistricting Commission to redraw the boundaries for Arizona's legislative districts (for the members of the Arizona Legislature) and to redraw the boundaries for the Congressional Districts (for Arizona's members of the United States Congress). Currently, state law provides that the Arizona Legislature draws the legislative and congressional district lines. These lines are usually redrawn every ten years, after the state receives the results of the U.S. Census.
This proposition provides that the appointed Redistricting Commission shall first draw districts that are equal in population in a grid-like pattern across the state, with adjustments to meet the following goals:
1. Districts shall comply with the United States Constitution and the federal Voting Rights Act.
2. Both legislative and congressional districts shall be equal in population, to the extent practicable. This establishes a new strict population equality standard for legislative districts.
3. Districts shall be geographically compact and contiguous, as much as practical.
4. District boundaries shall respect "communities of interest," as much as practical.
5. District lines shall follow visible geographic features, and city, town and county boundaries and undivided "census tracts" as much as practical.
6. Political party registration, voting history data and residences of incumbents and other candidates may not be used to create district maps.
7. "Competitive districts" are favored if competitive districts do not significantly harm the other goals listed.
The Redistricting Commission would consist of five members, no more than two of whom can be from the same political party or the same county. Persons would be eligible for membership on the commission if they meet certain voter registration requirements, and if during the last three years, they have not been candidates for public office or appointed to public office, except for school board members or officers, have not served as an officer of a political party or as an officer of a candidate's election committee and if they have not been a paid lobbyist. The Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives, the Minority Party Leader of the Arizona House of Representatives, the President of the Arizona State Senate and the Minority Party Leader of the Arizona State Senate would each appoint one person to the Redistricting Commission. These four members of the Redistricting Commission would then meet and vote to appoint a fifth member to chair the commission. The commission would provide at least 30 days for the public to review the preliminary lines drawn by the commission, and then the commission would make the lines final, subject to approval by the United States Department of Justice.
Proposition 106 allocates $6 million to the Redistricting Commission for use in the redistricting process that begins in 2001 and allows additional money for later redistricting.
Proposition 106 Fiscal Impact Summary
Proposition 106 allocates $6,000,000 from general state revenue to the redistricting commission for use in the redistricting process that begins in 2001. Redistricting expenses are incurred once every ten years after the completion of the decennial census. If the Proposition is not approved, the current method of redistricting will continue to require funding. The sum of $3,000,000 has already been enacted into law for the current process.
ARGUMENTS "FOR" PROPOSITION 106
Every once in a while, an issue comes along that makes so much sense and so clearly embodies the basic principles of democracy, people put aside their partisan differences and take action to protect the collective interest of citizen self-government.
The Citizen's Redistricting Commission Initiative is such an issue. A simple idea about giving citizens a central role in creating more representative democracy with so much common sense appeal that it enjoys the support of Arizonans statewide.
Amending the state constitution is no small matter and this is no minor issue.
Every 10 years, state legislators redraw the lines of Arizona's legislative and congressional districts. It's a once-a-decade political power struggle that has grown more important as the state has grown.
When legislators draw their own lines the result is predictable. Self-interest is served first and the public interest comes in a distant second. Incumbent legislators protect their seats for today and carve out new congressional opportunities for their political future.
The legislature has created a system that distorts representative democracy. There is only a four- percent difference between the number of registered Republicans and registered Democrats in this state - yet out of 30 legislative districts, there is only one where the difference in party registration is within 5 percent.
Allowing legislators draw the lines is the ultimate conflict of interest.
I am lifelong Arizonan. I was born in Casa Grande. I attended the University of Arizona. I've built a business here and I've raised a family. There are thousands of Arizonans who share a similar background - and more who have chosen to move to Arizona and call it home.
Our voices cannot be heard in a system that distorts our representation. We share a responsibility to step forward and correct this systemic flaw.
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Jim Pederson, Phoenix, Chairman, Fair Districts, Fair Elections |
We need a simpler and fairer way to draw voting districts. Currently districts are drawn to promote single party dominance and protect incumbents resulting in reduced voter confidence. While the Legislature could create a simpler and less partisan way, it would require the members to voluntarily give up the power to control their own political fate. That has never happened in the past and is unlikely in the future. The public will continue to be barred from meaningful participation in the process until we create an independent redistricting commission. Your YES vote can make that happen.
Two years ago Arizona had a record low number of legislative candidates. Nearly half of the districts had no choice of candidates and in most of the rest, the preponderance of a single party effectively pre-determined the election outcome.
Current district maps are contorted boundaries lacing together isolated pockets of special interests to form bulletproof districts for incumbents. Decisions, if any, are made in the primary elections. It recalls the political cartoon of the evil "Gerrymander" reptile that lent its name to such maps.
Opponents argue a redistricting commission would eliminate public accountability. To the contrary, there is no public accountability now. District maps are secretly drawn by powerful party leaders, hidden from the public. Even other members of the legislature are barred from viewing the maps until they are essentially complete.
Voting districts are redrawn every ten years to ensure full representation of all voters. The issue is too important for petty partisan concerns. If a party's issues only have merit because they are able to manipulate and contort the process then their basic political philosophy is suspect. Healthy and competitive districts are far more likely to foster strong political debate.
We urge all Arizonans to VOTE YES on Proposition 106.
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Lisa Graham Keegan, Peoria, Superintendent of Public Instruction |
The Citizens' Independent Redistricting Commission has put forth an initiative which is long overdue.
It allows you, the citizen, to have a voice in drawing the boundaries for your legislative and congressional districts. Through open meetings throughout the State - not backroom dealing - we will have a process run by the public.
This initiative takes redistricting out of the hands of incumbents who too often draw district lines to protect their seats rather than to create fair, competitive legislative and congressional districts.
This initiative is fair to all Arizonans because it opens up the system to public scrutiny; it eliminates conflicts of interest by taking the process of redistricting out of incumbents' hands; and, it just might encourage more people to run for public office.
We need a politically neutral commission to handle redistricting.
Join me in voting "Yes" on Proposition 106.
Common Cause urges Yes on Proposition 106, Fair Districts, Fair Elections, The Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission Initiative.
The present system of allowing incumbent politicians to redraw their own district boundaries is "the ultimate conflict of interest," according to Grant Woods, former Arizona Attorney General.
He is joined in his opinion, and in his endorsement of this initiative, by leaders from both parties, including Janet Napolitano, Sue Gerard, Rose Mofford, John and Lisa Keegan, Skip Rimsza, Polly Rosenbaum and many others, including the League of Women Voters. Why? Because, when incumbents remove areas from their district where competitors live, or where people from opposing parties live, districts become politically imbalanced and voters no longer have no real choices. This citizen initiative will create fair districts and fair elections in Arizona. We will see better candidates and better government as a result. Real competition is as good for government as it is for business.
Arizona Common Cause is a nonpartisan group of over 3,000 Arizona families with a long history of working for open, clean, and sensible self-government.
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Dennis Burke, Executive Officer, Arizona Common Cause, Phoenix |
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The Arizona School Boards Association supports Proposition 106 because it would remove the redrawing of legislative and congressional district boundaries from those with the greatest conflict of interest, incumbent legislators. This conflict of interest could be compared to the parable of the "fox guarding the hen house." Instead, this "once every ten years" exercise under Proposition 106 would be in the hands of an independent redistricting commission made up of ordinary citizens.
The Commission would have five members, one each selected by the House Speaker and minority leader and one each selected by the Senate President and minority leader, and these four appointees have to agree on the fifth member that is not from either major party. No two members can be from the same county and no more than two can be from the same political party. All members of the Commission must be selected from a pool of 25 candidates selected by a non partisan commission. No current elected officials, lobbyists or officers of a political party or precinct committeemen are eligible to serve as candidates.
This method would remove the temptation to determine boundaries based upon the numbers of political party registrants living within an area allowing the commission to concentrate on its mandate to create districts that: 1) comply with the U.S. Voting Rights Act; 2) have equal population; 3) are geographically compact and contiguous; 4) reflect communities of interest 5) to the extent possible, use visible boundary lines. Compare this process with the current method whereby legislators can create safe districts for themselves ensuring little competition.
This is an unparalleled opportunity to create a legislature more responsive to the priorities and concerns of Arizona's citizens. The Arizona School Boards Association, comprised of locally elected school board members, urges you to vote YES on Proposition 106.
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Myrna Sheppard, President, Arizona School Boards Association, Phoenix |
Harry Garewal, Vice President, Arizona School Boards Association, Phoenix |
No quotas for Democrats, no welfare for Republicans. That's the simple philosophy behind the Fair Districts Fair Elections citizen's initiative.
For too long, both parties have created legislative and congressional districts to protect their incumbents. Such "gerrymandering" eliminates real political competition and shortchanges all of us. Why?
Because good people don't run for office because they don't think they can win. Incumbents don't stay in touch with voters because no one challenges them.
Just think back to the lively Republican nomination fight between John McCain and George Bush. It resulted in a great debate between two capable people that excited voters all across the country. While Fair Districts Fair Elections can't promise you McCain vs. Bush, it can promise more balanced legislative and congressional districts that don't give such huge advantages to incumbents and to one party over another.
By transferring redistricting responsibility from self-interested politicians to an independent citizen's panel, Fair Districts Fair Elections will generate more competition, more accountability and better government for all Arizonans.
As long-time Republicans and public servants, we're proud to support this kind of reform for Arizona along with the Honorable Lisa Keegan, Superintendent of Public Instruction; Honorable Jack Jewett, former Tucson legislator; Senator Sue Grace, District 24 and Honorable Jim Bruner, former Maricopa County Supervisor.
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William A. Mundell, Phoenix, Arizona Corporation Commissioner |
The League of Women Voters works to encourage the informed and active participation of citizens in government. Looking for reasons why the number of people participating in the voting process has declined, we found the boundaries of legislative districts are drawn so that only one party's candidates have a realistic chance of winning. Also, many legislative candidates faced no opposition in their bid for office. We found citizens who saw no reason to vote when the outcome of an election seemed predetermined. And, we found legislators who, when they know they had no opposition, had no incentive to listen to their constituents.
We need competitive districts to encourage citizens to vote, people to run for office, and representatives to respond to constituents' concerns. Every election cycle the ballot is filled with initiatives because a "disconnect" exists between many legislators and their constituents. The Legislature consistently fails to adequately address issues that citizens care about, issues such as education and health care.
We believe that moving the power to draw congressional and legislative districts from the legislature to a citizens commission will change the system. We urge a "yes" vote on Proposition 106, the Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission Initiative.
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Ann Eschinger, President, League of Women Voters of Arizona, |
Willi Waltrip, 2nd Vice President, League of Women Voters of Arizona, Phoenix |
We are fortunate and honored to serve, and have served, as mayors in some of Arizona's great cities. As a result, we know how important it is to stay in touch with you - the people who make our communities the outstanding places they are.
Being in touch, staying responsive - these are just two of the reasons we encourage you to vote "Yes" on Proposition 106, the Fair Districts Fair Elections Initiative.
Right now, legislative and congressional districts are drawn in a way that protects incumbents. The current system does not encourage candidate competition. Consequently, many legislators never face competition. When this happens, they get farther and farther away from the pulse of the community - farther away from your concerns.
Fair Districts Fair Elections responsibly reforms our redistricting system in a way that will create more competition for our elected officials, which in turn, will create better government for all of us.
Furthermore, Fair Districts will keep cities together within legislative and congressional districts. Right now, cities may have two, three or more districts running through their boundaries. This isn't right. To the fullest extent possible, cities should have more coherent representation so their concerns and issues can be more clearly expressed at the State Capitol and in Washington, D.C.
Whether you are the mayor of a city or simply a resident that wants more responsive government, Proposition 106 is one that clearly makes common sense.
Join us along with mayors: John Keegan, Peoria; Joan H. Shafer, Surprise; Robert Mitchell, Casa Grande; Edward Lowry, Paradise Valley; Skip Rimsza, Phoenix; Larry "Roach" Roberts, Wickenburg; George Miller, former Mayor of Tucson; Paul Johnson, former Mayor of Phoenix and Daniel Schweiker, Vice Mayor of Paradise Valley - VOTE YES ON 106.
A fair and impartial system of redistricting the state and federal election districts is the right thing to do for Arizona's future.
I support the Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission initiative because I think it will be good for rural Arizona. Under the current system many small towns across the state get divided between two different legislative districts. When this happens our voice is diluted. This has been done not only to Sierra Vista but to towns all across the state - - Casa Grande, Kingman, Gila Bend, Nogales, and even tiny towns like Tubac and Patagonia! Bullhead City is the worst example - - split into three legislative districts!
Then, when legislators draw congressional district boundaries, rural voices are again diluted in districts which draw most of their voters from metropolitan Maricopa County (primarily) and Pima County. The attention of our Representatives is concentrated on the metropolitan area where the bulk of their constituents reside. This just doesn't seem fair; rural Arizona deserves at least some representation in Congress.
Why can't our legislators reach compromise on issues most important to mainstream Arizona?
Better legislative decisions are possible when the Legislature represents all citizens of Arizona in approximate proportion to their political beliefs. Most Arizonans are centrists -- they generally support middle-of-the-road policies rather than those more extreme. In fact, there is only a 4% difference between the number of registered Democrats and registered Republicans in Arizona.
How is it then that we have been saddled with our current, ideologically polarized Legislature?
In Arizona, incumbent legislators redraw boundaries for legislative and congressional districts every ten years. Theoretically, this is done to maintain a balance in population among the various districts. Unfortunately, our legislators have a history of manipulating the redistricting process by stacking "their" district with members of their own party and by drawing lines which move political opponents out of "their" districts. Often times in stacked districts, the minority party in that district doesn't even field candidates for the General Election. When the General Election doesn't count, 1) Parties are more likely to promote candidates farther to the right or left of center because they don't need to worry about losing moderate and independent votes in the General Election, and 2) Voter turnout is lower leaving choices to the most heavily partisan voters in that district. In Arizona, only six of our thirty legislative districts are even remotely balanced in party registration.
Independent citizen's commissions are a better way to draw political boundaries. Incumbent legislators, who always have a vested interest, can't control the process. Currently, fourteen states have independent commissions draw their legislative district boundaries.
Arizona would have a better, more representative Legislature if more members were centrists and fewer were on either extreme.
ARGUMENTS "AGAINST" PROPOSITION 106
The redistricting commission amendment is a flawed proposition which will reduce the input of the will of the people of Arizona and vest disproportionate influence in the hands of bureaucratic Washington D.C. lawyers of the federal Justice Department. The people of Arizona have traditionally, through their elected representatives, drawn the lines from which the peoples' elected officials will represent them. Yes, these plans have to be submitted to the federal Justice Department for approval. But it has been our plan they have had to review - our plan drawn by our representatives - our representatives who serve with the consent of the governed. Under a commission, as experience in other states suggests, the procedure will undoubtedly be to ask the bureaucratic Washington D.C. lawyers of the federal Justice Department to design and approve the parameters under which Arizona's representatives will be elected. The Commission will be a conduit and a rubber stamp.
Arizonan's must not give up our right to determine the lines from which our officials should be elected. Do not let the bureaucratic Washington D.C. lawyers of the federal Justice Department gain disproportionate influence over our election process. Maintain the right to oversee the electoral process of redistricting and reapportionment here in Arizona with the elected representatives of the people not an appointed inexperienced elite who will be the handmaidens of the government in Washington's lawyers. Vote no on this proposition.
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Barry M. Aarons, Senior Fellow - Americans for Tax Reform, Phoenix |
The Arizona Chamber of Commerce recommends that voters oppose Proposition 106 that WILL TURN OVER THE DRAFTING OF ARIZONA'S POLITICAL DISTRICTS TO A SMALL GROUP OF FIVE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT ACCOUNTABLE TO VOTERS.
The proponents claim Proposition 106 makes the redistricting process fair and less political by creating a commission of five non-elected individuals to draw the district maps for the entire state.
We disagree. Proposition 106 empowers a commission of political appointees who are selected from at least two counties in Arizona to draw the legislative and congressional district lines. That means 10 to 12 of Arizona's 15 separate and unique counties won't have representation. The Arizona Chamber believes that fair representation would not deny a majority of voters a voice.
This initiative further proposes to mold Arizona's political districts into a grid-like pattern. Drawing such a grid across Arizona threatens rural representation. It denies a logical opportunity to ensure broad, legislative membership.
In the end, any redistricting plan must be approved by the U.S. Justice Department. If they do not approve, they will require changes to the plan that will result in a redesign. Federal law thus denies the process of fair districts.
Rather than turning over the reshaping of Arizona's political boundaries to an uninformed group of five individuals or even worse to the Justice Department, leave the future of our boundaries with the 90 individuals of the State Legislature elected by you. We urge you to vote NO on Proposition 106.
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Greg Denk, Chairman of the Board, Arizona Chamber of Commerce, Phoenix |
Samantha A. Fearn, VP of Public Affairs, Arizona Chamber of Commerce, Phoenix |
Accountability. It is what you expect from your elected officials at all levels of government. And, it is the standard to which we hold ourselves - to be accountable to you.
Unfortunately, Prop. 106, the "Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission" lacks any accountability. It is an attempt by special interest groups who want to change the redistricting process because they do not like who you have elected to represent you. They want to change the process in their favor rather than participate in the democratic process of elections.
This measure is seriously flawed. Contrary to the arguments its proponents make, this initiative will make the redistricting process more secretive, more "backroom" and more political. Those who serve on the commission will have been selected for appointment by a small, powerful group of activist lawyers. That group, the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments will nominate members of the redistricting commission. While lawyers make up less than one-half of one percent of Arizona's population, they make up more than 50% of this commission.
In short, unelected, unaccountable lawyers will have more power than anyone else in the redistricting process. That will not empower the people of Arizona. It will empower lawyers and the Bar Association.
The Legislature is elected by you and represents every county in the state. The appointed Commission in the initiative is required to have representation from only two counties. No one will represent the people in the other thirteen counties.
This new Commission's price tag is $6 million. We already have elected representatives to make decisions - why do we need a new $6 million bureaucracy to do the same thing?
We urge you to reject this attempt to take power out of the people's hands. Vote No on Proposition 106.
BALLOT FORMAT
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