Map legislative districts, win a prize

Often people play backseat driver or Monday morning quarterback. They give advice on what has already happened or think they have a better way of doing things.

Now is the opportunity for not only those individuals, but also anyone else interested to hop in the driver’s seat of the redistricting process.

The Arizona Competitive Districts Coalition, a volunteer group that wants to increase competition in elections, is inviting anyone with a computer to carve out the boundaries for Arizona’s 30 legislative districts and nine Congressional districts.

To craft these districts, the group’s website features a mapping tool that uses the same data the Independent Redistricting Commission will use as it begins its work.

Users will be able to evaluate how closely their maps meet four of the six constitutional requirements of redistricting. Those four requirementa are that districts be equal in population, be compact, be competitive and comply with the federal Voting Rights Act.

The other two requirements–that the districts keep communities of interest together and respect geographic, city and town boundaries–are too subjective for to evaluate, co-chairman of the Competitive Districts Coalition Ken Clark told the Arizona Republic.

The mapping will come to an end June 6, and the coalition will choose several winners of unnamed prizes.

To use the mapping tool and enter the contest, go to districtbuilder.azredistricting.com.