As the 2020 census nears its public release, the state is again looking at political redistricting and the city of Sedona plans to weigh in.
The Independent Redistricting Commission is currently working to redraw Arizona’s Congressional and Legislative districts to reflect the results of the most recent census.
“The concept of one-person, one-vote dictates that districts should be roughly equal in population,” a city report states. “Other factors to be considered are district shape, geographical features, respect for communities of interest and potential competitiveness.”
The IRC was appointed in January and is comprised of five commissioners — two registered Republicans, two registered Democrats and a registered independent. The IRC is holding regular meetings and will begin the work of redrawing Congressional and Legislative districts in mid to late August when the results of the census have been received.
Following the 2010 census, the Sedona City Council was provided an opportunity to review the proposed redistricting options and vote in support of the preferred district map. That vote was forwarded to the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors. Despite the request to stay in one district, all of the Verde Valley is currently in the same Legislative district, but not the Congressional district, the report states.
Mayor Sandy Moriarty said all the communities within the Verde Valley are in agreement in terms of redistricting in order to have a stronger, unified voice.
“This is the way we’d like it to be — keep the Verde Valley together,” she said. “We happen to be used to working together a lot more than most regions, I think, in the state. In the state of Arizona I think we may be unique in the amount of the work we do collaboratively in the Verde Valley. Everyone seems to be together on this.”
Deputy City Manager Joanne Keene said the IRC will hold 15 public meetings around the state in the next four weeks. On Tuesday, July 27, the IRC will hold a meeting in Prescott with satellite locations in Cottonwood and Sedona at the Yavapai College campuses.
This meeting is an opportunity to provide testimony — written or oral — on the redistricting values.
Because that date conflicts with council’s scheduled meeting, Keene will be the representative speaking on behalf of the city. Council is requesting that the city stay in one Legislative and Congressional district and not have them separated by county lines. They are also requesting that the Verde Valley communities, including the Yavapai-Apache Nation, remain in one Legislative district and be included in one Congressional district.
“The city of Sedona values a Legislative and Congressional redistricting outcome that first and foremost keeps the city of Sedona intact and does not split the city by county lines.
In addition, the city seeks a Legislative and Congressional District outcome that recognizes the importance of aligning communities of interest.
“The city values placement within a district with other communities that have similar common interests related to economy, infrastructure such as transportation and broadband, health care systems, natural resources, economic development opportunities and eco-tourism,” the report reads.
