The U.S. Department of Justice approved Arizona’s new legislative map Thursday, making official what most candidates are already taking for granted. The approval marks the first time in four decades that Arizona’s legislative map has won Justice Department approval on the first submission, according to attorneys for the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. The agency had no objections to the map, which the commission approved in January. It creates 30 new legislative districts across the state to reflect population shifts over the past decade. Most candidates eyeing a seat in the Legislature have already relied on the new map as they have declared their intentions to run.
Colleen Mathis, redistricting chairwoman, said the approval marked “a great day for Arizona and a great day for independent redistricting.” Mathis had aimed to win Justice Department approval for both the congressional and legislative maps on the first submission. The congressional map won approval earlier this month.
Full Article: U.S. Justice Department signs off on Arizona district maps.