Film Advocates Another Way
The advocates for creating competitive districts sponsored the Arizona premiere of the documentary film “Gerrymandering” Tuesday evening at the Arizona Historical Society in Tempe.
The film centers on the successful effort in California to pass Proposition 11, which created a citizens’ redistricting commission similar to the one here in Arizona. The backdrop is a look at several case studies of gerrymandering from across the country, including New York, Illinois, Texas and California, and video clips of a series of presidents from Reagan to Obama railing away at its pernicious effects.
Filmmaker Jeff Reichert stakes the claim that the systematic removal of competitive districts to protect party interests, minority interests and incumbents is the underlying cause of the polarization that is so profoundly affecting Congress and many state legislatures.
The event, which was emceed by Ken Clark, was sponsored by the Arizona Competitive Districts Coalition and Research Advisory Services.
I just finished my run for the House in LD 15.
couple things I found VERY interesting: VERY little Dem lit or signage up yet they took the district at all levels for Senate and House even before the ballots were all counted.
I walked Precincts in my area and met an active firefighter who was honest enough to tell me that tho he had personally voted for our Republicans but we (Republicans) would NEVER, EVER, EVER break the solidarity of the Fire Department. SO for the 19th and 20th years in a row-Dems hold all three seats available…
Interesting eh? Am I for redistricting LD 15? OH YES…..
Mr. Carter has identified an important issue, but has turned it inside out. The existing districts were designed by the majority of the previous IRC members, being the two Republicans and Mr. Lynn, who voted with them 98% of the time. Maximizing democratic voters into a few districts is not a Republican tactic, it is a Republican strategy. The facts he cites is not a Democratic advantage, it is a Democratic disadvantage. He must understand that?