Arizona has 8 Congressional Districts, whose lines were last drawin by the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, which was formed after a ballot initiative was approved by Arizona voters mandating that redistricting power be taken away from the Arizona legislature and given to an independent body. One member is each chosen by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Arizona, the Minority Leader of the Arizona House of Representatives, the President of the Arizona Senate, and the Minority Leader of the Arizona Senate. No more than two commissioners are allowed to share the same political affiliation. After those appointments are made, the Commissioners themselves choose a fifth member, to serve as the Chair of that body, who may not share the same political affiliation as any of the other members; the practical conclusion is that the Commission is made up of two Republicans, two Democrats, and one Independent, who serves as Chair. Members may not have changed their political affiliations within three years, nor served as an elected or appointed official to a public office (excluding School Board), nor have been a candidate for public office within the same time period. Commissioners also must have never served as an officer of a political party, a registered lobbyist, or as staff on a candidate's campaign committee.
Currently, Arizona is represented by six Republicans and six Democrats. The next redistricting will be held in 2011. All incumbents except for CD8's Jim Kolbe are running for re-election.
