TELL THE IRC NOT TO HIRE A MAPPING CONSULTANT WHO WILL ENDANGER FAIR MAPS
Arizona was one of the first states to initiate a nonpartisan, independent redistricting commission. Thousands of Arizonans supported a citizen initiative to secure a more fair and transparent redistricting process – but right now fair maps are in danger.
The IRC (Independent Redistricting Commission) is voting on Tuesday to choose their mapping consultant, an important part of the team to draw fair maps! One of the three firms they could hire is Timmons Group + National Demographic Corporation (NDC). The NDC has been involved with bad maps that do not follow mandated mapping criteria and undermine representation for communities of color. They have defended maps that were deemed unfair in litigation in courts across the country. Our Independent Redistricting Commission has a responsibility to hire staff and consultants who will act in the best interest of all Arizonans and will draw fair and equitable maps.
Send a message to the Independent Redistricting Commission: Do not hire a mapping consultant who will endanger fair maps!
SUBMIT COMMENT TO THE IRC BY 5 PM THURSDAY
Why should NDC have nothing to do with Arizona’s maps? Let’s take a look at their track record:
· In the landmark 2018 California voting rights case Luna v Kern County, a US District Court Judge ruled that the redistricting plan defended by the NDC President unlawfully denied Latinos the ability to elect candidates of their choice. The Judge deemed Johnson’s testimony and data to be “insufficient.” [Source] [Source]
· As the mapping consultant to the first Arizona IRC in 2001, NDC produced two legislative maps that were later thrown out. The ’02 map was rejected for failing to comply with the US Voting Rights Act, and the ’04 map was thrown out after it was ruled unconstitutional. The 2001 IRC Vice-Chair Andi Minkoff later testified that the Commission was “manipulated” by NDC into drawing non-competitive maps. [Source] [Source] [Source]
The IRC must uphold the trust of Arizonans throughout the redistricting process. Allowing National Demographics Corporation and Doug Johnson anywhere near our maps would immediately undermine that trust.