Do you know if the NDRC really played a part in this???

[LAS14]

I got this in my e-mail today. Does anyone have more details?

In case you're not familiar with the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, here's more info: https://democraticredistricting.com/about/

***********************
I'm Hayley, NDRC's chief of staff, and I have an incredible story for you from my home state of Arizona.

Arizona’s Independent Redistricting Commission is the nation’s gold standard for a fair process. But back in February, Republicans in the state legislature voted to advance a proposal that would gut the commission. A former GOP legislator admitted that “this is obviously a Republican play to increase their control over the redistricting process.” And it looked like it was going to pass.

But we took immediate action and sent a message to the Arizona GOP that NDRC and its partners were prepared to put up a fight. I was on the ground with fair election activists from across the state -- and our show of strength helped kill the bill.

[hlthe2b]

1. surely I'm not only one who had to google NDRC? BTW, National Democratic Redistricting Committee

unless we are talking Canada and then: National Development and Reform Commission...

[LAS14]

3. Thanks! I've editied my OP. nt

[hlthe2b]

4. Kudos... somedays I just feel like I'm in acronym overload....

[Louis1895]

2. Republicans Make Moves To Crush Gerrymandering Reform

Republicans Make Moves To Crush Gerrymandering Reform

By Allegra Kirkland | May 7, 2018 6:00 am

With anti-gerrymandering efforts gaining steam, Republicans in some states are mobilizing to protect their ability to continue rigging election maps.

<snip>

Arizona’s GOP-controlled legislature last week narrowly failed to pass a bill that would have given the party much more control over the map-drawing process.

<snip>

The Latest: Arizona Legislature adjourns 2018 session

The Associated Press | May 04, 2018 6:20 p.m.

The Arizona Senate has rejected a measure that would ask voters to dramatically overhaul the independent commission that draws congressional and legislative maps every decade.

The measure that failed Thursday could come back for a second vote under a procedural move. The proposal adds four members to the current five-member commission created by a 2000 voter initiative. An amendment adopted Wednesday infuriated Democrats because it adds an intent clause criticizing the panel created after the 2010 Census. That panel was embroiled in controversy but its actions were upheld in several court cases, including two before the U.S. Supreme Court.

The measure also says state legislative districts can only vary in population by 2 percent.

Democrats worry a packed commission could use it to sideline Democrats, while Republicans say it creates a more fair process.

Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/business/article210433969.html#storylink=cpy

[riversedge]

8. Good day for democracy in AZ.

[lunasun]

5. It's true it's true!

[Gothmog]

6. Yeah for President Obama and AG Holder

National Democratic Redistricting Committee is doing great work

[NCTraveler]

7. K&R Statement in Feb from the NDRC

https://democraticredistricting.com/ndrc-statement-republican-proposal-to-change-arizonas-redistricting-process/


Today, Republicans in the Arizona State Senate are debating changes to the redistricting process that would weaken the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission.
Kelly Ward, Executive Director of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC), released the following statement opposing the proposed changes:
“The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission ensures a fair redistricting process and is used as a model for the rest of the country. The proposal introduced by Republicans in the state legislature would unnecessarily politicize the current system and undermine the will of the voters. Their draft language would make it more difficult to ensure a fair map-drawing process and allow the legislature to sidestep the independent commission’s work on a whim.

“If the state legislature moves to weaken the Commission or sends a measure to the ballot in November that politicizes the redistricting process, NDRC will partner with local groups in Arizona and invest resources to expose this partisan power grab.”

Ward is a graduate of the University of Arizona and previously worked for former Governor Janet Napolitano. She was also on the founding Board of Arizona Emerge and helped create Arizona List, organizations committed to recruiting and electing women to local office in Arizona.

The NDRC is the first-ever strategic hub for a comprehensive redistricting strategy that includes winning targeted elections, reforming the system, advancing legal action and building the infrastructure needed to achieve a fairer redistricting process.

Our goal is to restore fairness to our democracy by undoing the Republican gerrymandering plaguing our country and creating fair congressional and legislative maps that reflect the will of the voters.

[grantcart]

16. Ironically Kelli Ward is also the name of a right wing nut job running for Senate in AZ

[HAB911]

9. Excellent news!

[Wounded Bear]

10. K & R...for visibility...nt

[OregonBlue]

11. Thank you for doing this. Hope you guys are working hard in those southern states too.

[SunSeeker]

12. I'm so happy this Eric Holder group is fighting gerrymandering.

He continues to serve his country.

[lark]

13. K&R

Important work is being done by Holder and the NRDC!! Hope they have lots of successes, we need for them to win this battle.

[hwmnbn]

14. Thank you for doing the hard part...

K&R

[octoberlib]

15. K&R

We need this in every state but especially in the south and maye Wisconsin.

[mountain grammy]

17. Thank you for posting

One of the few good and positive things happening these days.. Saw Eric Holder on The Daily Show.. he's definitely giving me a ray of hope.. support the National Democratic Redistricting Committee whenever you can.

[LAS14]

18. Kick for visibility. nt