Redistricting Commissioner applications warrant close scrutiny already

The 2021 Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission Chairperson will not be a paid position. However, it will, absolutely be pivotal to the ability of Arizona voters in all legislative and Congressional districts to have a fair and legitimate opportunity to choose their own lawmakers in elections from 2022 until 2030.

Because the chair's responsibility is so grave, the potential for a person of dubious integrity to cause long lasting damage to, not only voting rights, but to every other right that could be adversely impacted by any or all legislation which may regard the personal and civil and property rights of Arizonans, we the citizens must be ever vigilant to ensure that all redistricting processes are free from undue influence of any kind.

Thirty-nine of the 138 commissioner applicants have declared themselves to be unaffiliated with either the Republican or Democratic Parties. That's 38 Independents and one Libertarian. Those 39 are the only ones who will be considered for appointment as chair of the 2021 Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.

A concerned citizen has already approached me with information challenging the stated qualifications of one of those 39. I advised this citizen to document those concerns and forward them as soon as possible to the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments. The email address to direct such comments is jnc@courts.az.gov.

Citizens are the first defense against undue influence. The second line of defense is the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments (which maybe referred to also as the screening committee). This committee will not interview all 138 candidates, or even all 39 potential candidates for the chair position.

Because of the significance of independent redistricting, you can be certain that there will be aggressive efforts made to secure such undue influence in the process. The starkest example from the last redistricting cycle is the Hofeller Files.

To the extent of your knowledge and experience, I urge all citizens to go over each application in detail. When you find something of concern, especially wrongly or overstated credentials, by all means, contact the screening committee, and if you wish, feel free to email me.