By Chip Scutari
The Arizona Republic
May 30, 2002 12:00:00
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the final maps
After 15 months, the state finally has a political map for the fall elections
that preserves Hispanic voting strength but probably will give Republicans a
majority in the House and Senate.
Federal judges approved the 30-piece legislative map Wednesday after months
of delays.
"We will have an election in 2002," said U.S. District Court Judge Roslyn Silver as she ruled from the bench.
The new map of legislative boundaries is only for the 2002 election. In January, lawyers for Republicans and Democrats go back to court to decide if the boundaries will stay the same for the rest of the decade.
After concerns raised by the U.S. Justice Department, the map packed more voting-age Hispanics into three key districts in parts of west and south Phoenix and Pinal County. Republicans will have a decisive edge in voter registration in 18 of the 30 districts, while four are close enough to be considered swing districts.
There were two big winners:
• The Arizona GOP: Most Republicans fought against the redistricting proposal
in 2000, but the maps came out in their favor.
• Minorities: A Hispanic coalition succeeded in getting two more legislative
districts, from seven to nine.
But gains made by minorities in the redistricting process probably won't lead to legislation that improves lives in minority communities, observed some Latino lawmakers.
"At the end of the day, we still don't have enough votes at the Capitol to move an agenda that will help the Hispanic community," said Sen. Pete Rios, D-Hayden.