The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission once again has five members after Democrat Cid Kallen was sworn in today at the Secretary of State’s office.

The Commission on Appellate Court Appointments has completed its work and today sent three nominees to Rep. Chad Campbell, who, as the House Minority Leader, will pick one to fill a vacancy on the Independent Redistricting Commission.

Thirteen people have applied to fill a vacant Democratic seat on the state’s five-person redistricting commission to replace a commissioner who suddenly resigned in May.

Jose Herrera resigned today (May 21) from the IRC, saying he has “been increasingly disturbed by the tone of the meetings and the effect of the pending lawsuits on the Commissioners and the Commission.” The Dem commissioner wrote in his letter of resignation to IRC Chair Colleen Mathis that after approving maps in January 2012, the commission’s meetings “have been unproductive and, at times, toxic.”

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.

IRC testimony may shed light on unanswered questions, accusations

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.

The members of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission spent their final mapmaking meeting the same way they’ve spent most of the past nine months – arguing, sniping at each other and lobbing accusations across the aisle.

The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission voted down a proposal by its Republican members to release hours of transcripts from the panel’s closed-door sessions.