AOTL AZ Submits Petition to Independent Redistricting Commission

For Immediate Release:
March 30, 2021
Contact:
Molly Mitchell
mitchell@redistrictingaction.org 

AOTL AZ Submits Petition to
Independent Redistricting Commission 

More than 500 Arizonans Call on IRC to Hire Experienced & Non-Partisan Staff

Today, All On The Line (AOTL) Arizona submitted a petition to the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) demanding that its future staff hires be non-partisan and experienced. The petition was signed by over 530 Arizonans representing 80% of the state’s counties. Earlier this month, the IRC named Brian Schmitt, a lifelong political operative, to the role of executive director, marking the first time that the five Commissioners on the IRC have not hired an Executive Director by unanimous vote.

“Hundreds of Arizonans are demanding better from the IRC moving forward. Arizonans passed Prop 106, the citizen initiative that created the IRC in 2000, to remove politicians from the redistricting process, so it's alarming that now the Commission will be staffed by political operatives. Partisan hires undermine the legitimacy and independence of the IRC,” said Kendra Alvarez, AOTL Arizona State Director. 

“It’s in the best interest of all Arizonans to take politics out of the redistricting process and search for staff that can provide critical experience and lessons learned as this IRC navigates an unprecedented delay and a public health crisis. The staff hires moving forward must avoid even the appearance of partisanship or political agenda in order to uphold public trust and confidence in IRC,” continued Alvarez.

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