AG Brnovich to Argue Redistricting Case Before United States Supreme Court

Phoenix – Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich will be presenting oral arguments before the United States Supreme Court in the Harris v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC) on December 8, 2015, after the high court approved a motion to participate earlier today

The case focuses on whether the AIRC violated the U.S. Constitution when drawing legislative district lines in 2010. Attorney General Brnovich will be representing the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office in the case, arguing that among other issues, the AIRC’s final maps created inequality in many districts, and undermined the “one-person, one-vote” principle.

“Arizonans expect fair elections,” said Attorney General Brnovich. “The AIRC violated the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection clause and the trust of the voters by drawing maps that devalue their votes.”

This case is on appeal at the Supreme Court after a District Court upheld the maps. The dissenting opinion in the lower court case declared that the evidence showed systematic population inequality in the legislative district maps, and that the AIRC acted intentionally in seeking that inequality.    

“As a former federal prosecutor and as Arizona’s elected attorney, it’s my responsibility to defend the voters in court," added Brnovich. "This case cuts to the core of American democracy  – that every person’s vote matters as much as the next, no matter where you’re from.”

For additional information, members of the media may contact Mia Garcia, Spokesperson & Director of Media Relations at 602-339-5895 or [email protected]

Read the U.S. Supreme Court’s Order.