AIRC chooses starting point ‘grid’ map

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

At its public hearing on Thursday, the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission selected the grid map that will serve as the starting point for further public discussion. Arizona redistricting commission picks a starting map:

The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission has chosen the grid map it will use as a starting point for determining Arizona's nine congressional and 30 legislative districts.

The commission chose the second option, which can be seen at azredistricting.org. This map was created starting in the state's southeastern corner to develop a more rural-focused approach.

The first option, which wasn't chosen, started the line drawing in a Phoenix suburb where the state's densest population was found, which led to one very large district that stripped from the top of the state to the bottom on the western side of the state and another district that did the same on the eastern side of the state.

As any statistician woud tell you, the first set of maps beginning with a dense population center will produce flawed results. The second set of grid maps selected, that begin with the rural Southeast corner of th state, while not perfect, should produce a better result as this process progresses through public hearings.