Twists and turns in redistricting process

If could get any crazier, I’d like to see it. Arizona’s decennial “independent” redistricting process has been nothing short of spectacular for journalists. The intrigue, outrage and paranoia took hold quickly and the twists and turns have continued without stop.

Dem commissioners Herrera, McNulty blast Brewer

Democratic redistricting commissioners Jose Herrera and Linda McNulty lambasted Gov. Jan Brewer for what they called a coordinated attempt to interfere with the work of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.

Lawmakers told to prepare for special session on IRC

Senate Republicans have been told by leadership to prepare for a possible special session on Tuesday to deal with the Independent Redistricting Commission, the Arizona Capitol Times learned today.

Mathis refutes open meeting allegations

Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission Chairwoman Colleen Mathis responded Monday for the first time about allegations that she violated open meeting laws, acknowledging that she spoke with two Republican commissioners about a mapping consultant but denying that the conversations were illegal or improper.

IRC responds to Brewer, says allegations unwarranted

An attorney for the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission said the host of allegations lobbed at the panel by Gov. Jan Brewer are not grounds for removing individual commissioners, and that the governor is not following the constitutional process for ousting members of the IRC.

FAIR game? How GOP politicians are trying to secretly influence the IRC

How GOP politicians are trying to secretly influence the IRC

GOP staffer claims IRC gerrymandered maps; Dems promise complaint

A Republican legislative attorney claimed today that the state’s redistricting commission gerrymandered its maps to benefit certain Democratic incumbents and harm GOP politicians.

Democratic leadership from both chambers of the Legislature promised to file a complaint that the testimony to the committee represents a violation of the prohibition against state employees being involved in pa[...]

Brewer lofts ‘nuclear’ option, setting off redistricting turmoil

Republicans are nearly unanimous in their belief that something must be done about the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. As legislators prepare for a possible special session, however, they are divided on the next step.

Gov. Jan Brewer invoked the so-called nuclear option on Oct. 27 when she sent a letter to the IRC’s five members demanding explanations for handful of alle[...]

… Or go to the ballot in February

Rather than pursue removal of the redistricting commissioners, many senators seem keener on asking voters to revamp the redistricting process – potentially through a proposition on the Feb. 28 presidential preference primary ballot.

Brewer takes first step in removal of redistricting commissioners

Gov. Jan Brewer demanded answers from the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission about a handful of alleged improprieties, the first step in the process for forcibly removing one or more of the commissioners.

Seel suggests mapping firm retaliated for his bills

Rep. Carl Seel suggested that the Independent Redistricting Commission’s mapping consultants may have put him in a less Republican district in retaliation for his legislative record.

Speaking at Monday’s meeting of the Joint Legislative Committee on Redistricting, Seel, R-Phoenix, questioned why Strategic Telemetry – which has ties to Democratic candidates and causes, including Pres[...]

Redistricting committee may not make concrete recommendations to IRC

A joint committee created to craft the Legislature’s recommendations to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission spent more than four hours on Monday listening to an airing of every grievance conservatives have with the redistricting process.

And in the end, it may not actually make any recommendations at all.