In Arizona, a bipartisan group of reform-minded citizens is at work to change the way the state conducts federal and state-level redistricting.  The group, called Fair Districts - Fair Elections, seeks to expand the current bipartisan redistricting commission from five members to nine members and to switch the responsibility of selecting these commissioners from the legislative majority and minority leaders to the entire party caucuses.  According to the group, these changes, in addition to requiring commissioners to place greater emphasize on the “competitiveness” of districts, will result in districts that not only include communities of interest, but also provide a more even mix of Republicans and Democrats.  This will force candidates to seek the support of centrist and Independent voters.  As a result, candidates who campaign on a bipartisan approach to governing will be more successful than extreme ideologues.  If you would like to learn more about this Arizona initiative, visit the group’s website at www.fairdistrictsfairelections.org.