Try your hand at drawing Arizona's new Congressional and Legislative Districts

Arizona's population has increased, according to the 2010 census. As a result, our state's Congressional and Legislative Districts will be redrawn. Arizonans have the opportunity to try their hand at redrawing the lines. AZRedistricting.com has online software that anyone can use to redraw the districts. Deadline for submission of your proposed maps is June 22, 2011. The best maps will be selected and forwarded to the bipartisan commission which will be making the final decisions. Below is more information from AZRedistricting.com.

Prizes Announced!

We are proud to announce that each of the four best maps (2 congressional and 2 legislative) will be awarded$500. This prize money is provided by the League of Women Voters and private donors.

We are also proud to announce that there will be a student category, in which Arizona High School students can win $300 (one each for congressional and legislative maps). This prize money is provided by the Arizona Education Association, and its members. Students will also win gift certificates to Stinkweeds Records in Phoenix, thanks to Kimber Lanning.

So, we are dishing out over $2,600 in prizes to see who can build the best maps! You can enter as a team or as an individual. If you are entering as a student, you cannot also enter for the regular prizes.

Maps will only be considered if they meet the basic criteria set out in the Contest Guidelines. If you have any questions please contact us at azcompetitivedistricts@gmail.com.

More Map-a-Thons!

Our first Map-a-Thons in Phoenix and Tucson went so well, that we decided to host them weekly until the contest deadline on June 22nd.

We had huge groups of folks at the last events --some novice and some experts on Redistrict Arizona. If you are hoping for a chance at the prize money for the best maps, these events are essential!

Join us in an opportunity to build your district maps, meet other mappers, collaborate and learn. ACDC volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and help you be a better mapper.

These Map-a-Thons are not reserved for Tucson or Phoenix, only. Please stay tuned for opportunities all over the state. If you would like to host a Map-a-Thon in your city, please contact us at azcompetitivedistricts@gmail.com

Tucson
June 7th, 14th and 21st
6th Ward City Council Office
6pm to 9pm
3202 E. 1st Street
Tucson, AZ 85707
Lead by Rick Graap
Map it
RSVP on Facebook here or at azcompetitivedistricts@gmail.com.

Phoenix
June 7th, 14th and 21st
URban Beans Coffee Shop
6pm to 9pm
3508 North 7th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Map it
RSVP on Facebook here or at azcompetitivedistricts@gmail.com

If you missed the first events, now is your chance! Please spread the word and join in!

A Little Help from Your Friends

If you are having problems logging on or using the mapping tool, please seek help at the Community Forum instead of contacting us at our Gmail account. We are not likely to be able to respond to you as quickly. Plus there are many more folks out there who can help.

Be a Groundbreaking Leader

Please help us maintain Redistrict Arizona. This project is groundbreaking, but it is not free. Please help us offer rewards for the best maps. Please make a tax deductible contribution at www.azredistricting.com. We can't make this happen without your help. Every dollar helps, from $10 to $10,000.

Thank you and happy mapping!

Free Forum and Instructional Video for Your Use

Having problems with the mapping tools? Want to share your thoughts and ideas? Want to comment on other's maps or tell us why you made your map the way you did? Try our new Community Forum at www.azredistricting.com. You can post topics, comments and respond to others. Please use this new tool to collaborate and make the best maps possible!

The webinar videos are on YouTube! Did you miss the April 28th free webinar? Want to brush up on your skills or learn how to use the mapping too? You can now see them on our channel at YouTube. There are 9 chapters because YouTube won't let us load anything more than 10 minutes long. So, start with Part 1. We hope to put tag lines on soon to tell you what mapping subject is covered in each chapter.