The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is asking for public comment on five draft maps that would adjust the boundaries of the county’s five supervisorial districts. This redistricting is required by law following the 2020 Census.

“We believe the five options presented by the Elections Department satisfy all legal requirements, but we know that any change to political boundaries can have wide-ranging impacts, so we want to hear what residents, cities and towns, schools and businesses, and other community groups have to say about these options,” said Chairman Bill Gates, District 3. “You can view the draft maps at Maricopa.gov/redistricting and provide comments that this Board will consider before approving a final map.”

HOW WE GOT HERE

State law requires the Board of Supervisors to redistrict after each decennial census. Due to the Census delay, lawmakers passed SB1107, which extended the deadline to approve district changes to July 1, 2022. Because Supervisor District lines match Special Health Care and Community College Districts, changes made to Supervisor boundaries will be the same for these two special districts.

HOW WE APPROACHED THE PROCESS

Board members hired outside legal counsel to provide guidance to them and the Elections Department in the pursuit of these five goals in the redistricting process:

• Districts shall comply with the United States Constitution and the United States Voting Rights Act.
• Districts shall be drawn with a goal of not more than a 5% difference in population and in no event with more than a 10% difference in population, as required by A.R.S. 11-212.
• Districts shall be geographically compact and contiguous to the extent practicable.
• District boundaries shall respect communities of interest to the extent practicable.
• To the extent practicable, district lines shall use visible geographic features, city and town boundaries, and undivided census tracts.

HOW THE COMMUNITY CAN PARTICIPATE

• Residents can find detailed information about redistricting, draft maps, and a way to share comments and concerns at Maricopa.gov/redistricting [ https://www.maricopa.gov/5820/Decennial-Redistricting ]. The site also includes a way to sign up for email updates.
• The page and feedback form is available in both English and Spanish. Residents who have a different language need may use the “Select Language” option in the bottom right corner of the site.
• Public comment will be accepted online starting today.
• There will be a public hearing on June 20, 2022 to discuss the Board’s redistricting methodology and initial public feedback.
• A final map will be approved on or prior to the July 1, 2022 deadline.

##