“As a map maker, I can have more of an impact on an election than a campaign. More of an impact than a candidate. When I as a mapmaker have more of an impact on an election than voters, the system is out of whack.”
–Consultant David Winston who drew House districts for the GOP after the 1990 U.S. Census.

You’ve heard me go on about our problems with redistricting. For background check out these articles form last year explaining the background on Arizona redistricting: here and here.

Well, now is your chance to help us fix the most crucial problem facing Arizona today. You can become one of our 5 redistricting commissioners.

The 5 commissioners (2 Republicans, 2 Democrats and 1 Independent who will be the chairman), will be chosen beginning in January to oversee the drawing of our legislative and congressional lines. As you can see from the quote above, this is an incredibly influential and important job. You could choose to maintain Arizona’s dysfunctional system of elections, or you could the agent of reform that will affect Arizona for the next generation.

In order to be a commissioner you:

• must have been registered with the same political party for at least the last three years.
• cannot have been a candidate for public office within the last three years.
• cannot have been elected or appointed to public office within the last three years.
• cannot have served as an offer of a political party, or served as a registered lobbyist or as an offer of a candidate’s campaign committee for the last three years.

You can apply  by going to www.arizona-redistricting-nominations.com. Applications are easy to fill out and are due by October 15th at 5pm.

Watch for more information from me on this issue. But for now, I cannot overstate the importance of this process. the district lines that we draw will determine whether Arizona will move forward, or miss its potential altogether.