The future of Arizona’s legislative map is in the hands of three federal judges, who wrapped up four days of trial testimony March 28 and heard pointblank denials from Democrats that they gerrymandered the districts.

A Democratic redistricting commissioner and the Democratic party’s interim executive director denied insinuations they were part of a conspiracy to rig the state’s legislative maps. But newly released records showed party leaders and incumbent lawmakers were at least included in mapping strategy emails sent to the commissioner on his non-commission email account. And phone records show more connection than the commissioner had previously acknowledged.

Republican critics of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission will file two lawsuits that seek to force the redrawing of the commission’s approved legislative and congressional districts.

FAIR Trust attorney David Cantelme took fire from IRC Dems during his testimony at today’s meeting.

A Libertarian Party activist alleged in a complaint filed today that a group with ties to Republican politicians is illegally lobbying the state’s redistricting commission.

A crucial element of the tense budget showdown between Governor Jan Brewer and the Legislature’s Republican leadership was argued in front of the Arizona Supreme Court this morning, but right now it’s unclear whether the court will choose to enter ...