State redistricting committee moves into next phase of remapping
Independent committee looks to general public for comment
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission will hold another public hearing Tuesday evening as it moves forward in the lengthy process.
The commission is responsible for redrawing Arizona’s Congressional and Legislative district lines to reflect the results of the 2020 census. Lines will change as the population continues to develop across the state.
It’s a process the state has been doing for 30 years now, taking place every ten years. Based on recent census data, each district should have around 300,000 people. A large portion of Yuma County sits in the second largest district in the state - covering four counties.
Commisioner Chairwoman Erika Neuberg says it's the committee's job to understand who our state is, where everybody lives, and what their political needs are. From there, they focus on communities of interest.
"Natural demographic groups that have either geographic interests, economic interests. Other types of cultural issues that bring them together, and it's our job in order to help everybody have representation, we need to understand where they are and group them to empower them as best as possible," she explained.
The plan is to have a final map drawn up by December 22.
On Tuesday, at the Yuma Civic Center, the public is welcome to join in on the meeting. The hearing begins at 4 P.M. and will go until every voice is heard.
