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The latest on Arizona’s on-going redistricting battle, with hi-res maps.

Arizona Redistricting Commission Update: 1/13/12

With some minor tweaks, the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission’s new voting map for Congressional elections appears headed for ratification. During a public meeting on December 20, 2011, the commission approved several changes to the previous draft map, including redrawing the GOP-dominant District 6 so that residents of Fountain Valley will vote alongside their north Maricopa County neighbors, instead of joining District 4, which would have yolked them to the river towns of the Parker strip in western Arizona.

Otherwise, the commission’s original draft map remains more or less intact – at least in terms of its impact on Valley voters. The most pivotal new district appears to be District 9 encompassing parts of Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale and Chandler. With Democrat and Republican voters poised in roughly equal numbers, District 9 promises to be a battle ground come November. Arizona State Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D) appears to have fired the first salvo, announcing her candidacy to represent District 9 in the U.S. House of Representatives shortly after the New Year.