/ Modified dec 4, 2015 6:47 p.m.

METRO WEEK: Tucson Election System Unconstitutional

Analysis of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Decision

The city of Tucson is appealing a federal court ruling that called the City Council election system unconstitutional.

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the system of holding ward-only primaries and city-wide general elections is unconstitutional and violates the one-person, one-vote federal voting rights policy.

To analyze the decision, Metro Week interviews:
Bruce Ash - a plaintiff in the lawsuit. Ash explains why he filed the suit, and what he hopes comes from the remaining legal process, which could include appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court.


Mayor Jonathan Rothschild - The Tucson mayor discusses why the council decided to appeal the Ninth Circuit's opinion that the city election system is unconstitutional. He explains any changes to the city election system must get voters' approval.


Joe Kanefield- A state election law expert. Kanefield analyzes the court opinion, the city's options and what the city's appeal for a hearing from more Ninth Circuit judges means.


Journalists Roundtable- AZPM's Christopher Conover and TucsonSentinal.com's Dylan Smith discuss another city election lawsuit in Pima County Superior Court, plus why the governor's special border law enforcement efforts are rankling local sheriffs, and how Arizona officials are responding to the Pentagon's decision to allow women in all military combat roles.

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