A Republican Redshirted Bully Harasses a Witness at a Public Hearing

Special to the Blog for Arizona A Republican woman in a red shirt bullied and traumatized a Democratic woman at the December 4 redistricting hearing for half an hour. Republicans standing in line at the hearing ignored her distress and did nothing to help. Finally, two military veterans, including me, got her to safety. The … Read more

Community of Interest Hypocrisy at Independent Redistricting Commission

As I observe the final deliberations of the Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC), I revisited the Communities of Interest Report on the IRC website. The “overlap count” puts any connection between Eastern Arizona towns (like Snowflake and Eagar) and Coconino County (Williams, Parks, Kachina Village, Bellemont) at the lowest of five ratings. There is zero community … Read more

AIRC Meets Thursday for Second Deliberation on New Districts: Voting Rights Act a Likely Driver

The second of eight “final decision meetings” schedule by the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. The meeting begins at 9:00 am on Thursday and you can follow along here.  You can comment using this link shortly after the meeting begins. Based on the Monday meeting it seems clear they realize the draft maps are problematic in terms of … Read more

Massive Crowd Protests “Safe” Republican District in Pima County

A massive crowd of some 300 people swarmed a hotel in Tucson on December 4, 2021 at one of the last public hearings of the Independent Redistricting Commission. One speaker after another railed against the manufactured “safe” Republican district carved out of Democratic Pima County. The roasting hot room had only 165 seats, and people … Read more

Show up Saturday at the Redistricting Commission Hearing in Tucson

Republicans nationwide are gerrymandering voting districts to retain permanent control, and it’s happening here in Arizona. The AZ Independent Redistricting Commission’s public comment period is coming to a close soon. If you haven’t raised your voice yet, Democrats must do so next Saturday. The proposed legislative district map is a disservice to voters and to AZ’s … Read more