On January 17th, Arizona’s Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) officially approved the state’s new Congressional districts.  The vote was a major milestone in this year’s particularly tumultuous redistricting process.  The Commission split along party lines, with the two Democratic members supporting the redistricting plan and the two Republican members opposing it.  Independent Chairwoman Colleen Mathis cast her swing vote in favor of the plan, making the final vote 3-2.

Republican Governor Jan Brewer interrupted the process in late October when she impeached Chairwoman Mathis.  Governor Brewer cited “gross misconduct” and violations of the state’s Open Meeting Law as grounds for removing Mathis.  On November 1, the State Senate voted 21-6 to remove Mathis.  Mathis sued, however, and the Arizona Supreme Court overturned the removal order on November 17.  The Court gave no official reason for reinstating Mathis, but Vice Chief Justice Andrew Hurwitz later stated that the Governor had failed to prove her allegations against Mathis. 

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