Welcome to ¡Que Nuevas!, the podcast of the Arizona Hispanic Community Forum. Today’s guest is Daniel R. Ortega, Jr., an Arizona Attorney and Civil Rights Activist. 

Daniel R. Ortega, Jr.’s website: www.ortegalaw.com

Links Mentioned In Episode:
MALDEF’s “Power On The Line: Making Redistricting Work For Us”: https://www.maldef.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/FINAL-LDF_04142021_RedistrictingGuide-22e.pdf
Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC): https://irc.az.gov/
Link to IRC Public Meetings: https://youtu.be/9G77wf3qcaY
Submit a Public Comment to Commission: https://forms.gle/KZ6oQBnxTxLq4mc39
Minutes of Past IRC Meetings: https://irc.az.gov/public-meetings 

www.azhcf.com
https://www.facebook.com/ArizonaHispanicCommunityForum

Daniel R. Ortega, Jr. is a 1974 graduate of Arizona State University, B.A. in Political Science and received his juris doctorate degree in 1977 from Arizona State University College of Law. Mr. Ortega is the owner of the Ortega Law Firm, P.C. In recognition of his skills as a lawyer Mr. Ortega has been listed in Arizona's Finest Lawyers and Super Lawyers. He is a member of the Arizona State Bar, American Association of Justice, the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association, American Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, Maricopa County Bar Association and Los Abogados Hispanic Bar Association.

The Independent Redistricting Commission's mission is to redraw Arizona’s congressional and legislative districts to reflect the results of the most recent census. The concept of one-person, one-vote dictates that districts should be roughly equal in population. Other factors to be considered are the federal Voting Rights Act, district shape, geographical features, respect for communities of interest and potential competitiveness. The state Constitution requires the commissioners – two Republicans, two Democrats and an independent chairwoman – to start from scratch rather than redraw existing districts.

The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission appointed in 2011 developed this comprehensive website to inform the public about its work. That Commission adopted new congressional and legislative districts for Arizona in January 2012 and prevailed in all litigation challenging its work. After all redistricting litigation for the decade ended, the Commission ceased its operations as required by the Arizona Constitution. A new Commission will be appointed in 2021 to adopt new congressional and legislative districts for Arizona following the next census. Although the 2011 Commission’s work is done, this website is being maintained for historical purposes. This website also contains a link to the website used by Arizona’s 2001 redistricting commission.

The Arizona Hispanic Community Forum’s objective is to improve the status and opportunities for Latinos and to work towards active participation with policy-making bodies, nationally, statewide and locally. The AHCF also strives to empower the Latino community through voter registration, voter education and voter participation in the electoral process.  The AHCF advocates for civil and human rights, justice and equality for all.

Hosted by Debbie López and produced by Maritza López
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