AOTL Arizona Demands the IRC Host Grid Map Hearings in Communities of Color

For Immediate Release:
September 1, 2021
Contact:
Fabiola Rodriguez
rodriguez@redistrictingaction.org

Additional hearings should focus on including communities that have experienced barriers preventing them from participating in the redistricting process

This week, Arizona’s Independent Redistricting Commission announced a plan to host five additional public hearings, starting in late September. The purpose of these hearings is to gather input from Arizonans on the initial "grid maps" for Arizona's next set of legislative and congressional maps. 

In July and August, last minute, poorly-noticed changes to the IRC hearing schedule impacted primarily smaller areas with high numbers of residents of color. Satellite hearing locations were cancelled in Kayenta, Kykotsmovi Village, Sells and San Luis. In order to ensure a fair and transparent redistricting process, All On The Line Arizona calls on the IRC to select host locations with diverse communities, and to ensure that more robust translation and interpretation services are available and clearly explained at each of these hearings. 

“During the first round of hearings, the IRC heard directly from individuals and advocates that there were insufficient hearings held in communities of color, that there was not robust engagement of multilingual press and community channels, and that accessibility of translation and interpretation services were unclear and unpredictable,” said Kendra Alvarez, Arizona State Director. 

“Now, the IRC has a chance to show improvement and center voices that have been marginalized in the past. That’s why AOTL Arizona is calling on the IRC to host each of these five hearings in communities of color and with substantial services for non-English speakers. We will continue working to ensure there is a transparent process that results in equitable maps that fairly reflect and represent the entire state,” continued Alvarez.