On April 28, 2014, the Arizona Legislature asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear Arizona State Legislature v Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, 13-1314. The issue is whether Article One of the U.S. Constitution permits states to let independent redistricting commissions draw boundaries for U.S. House districts. Article One, Section Four, says, “The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof…”. A 3-judge U.S. District Court had ruled on February 21, 2014, by a 2-1 vote, that the Independent Redistricting Commission is included in “Legislature” because it exercises legislative power.

Here is a copy of the Arizona legislature’s request to the U.S. Supreme Court to take the case. Here is a copy of the other side’s brief, explaining why the Court should not hear the case.

In the meantime, another federal case challenges the Arizona U.S. House districts on one-person, one-vote grounds. The 3-judge district court had ruled in favor of the commission on that, and the voters who challenged the district boundaries also intend to ask for U.S. Supreme Court review in a few weeks. That case is Wesley Harris v Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.