Every 10 years, the Oregon Legislature redraws the legislative and Congressional districts. Based on -- in their words -- growing hospitalization rates across the state due to the Delta variant of COVID-19, Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem) and House Speaker Tina Kotek (D-Portland) today announced that the upcoming public hearings of the House and Senate Redistricting Committees will be moved to a virtual format.

“While the committees had hoped to visit communities across Oregon in person, the recent surge in COVID-19 cases has made this increasingly risky to public health. More Oregonians are now in our hospitals, intensive care units, or on ventilators than ever before in this pandemic. Our hospitals, healthcare workers, and frontline staff are overwhelmed. The Delta variant has changed everything.

“After consulting with infectious disease doctors, public health experts, and the bipartisan chairs and vice-chair of the House and Senate Redistricting committees, we have decided to move September’s redistricting public hearings to a virtual format. This will ensure a safe, transparent process where Oregonians from every community can make their voice heard and provide input on Oregon’s next set of legislative and congressional maps.”

House Redistricting Committee Co-Chair Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany) responded to the announcement with the following statement and what it means for the process moving forward. “It’s unfortunate that we can no longer meet with Oregonians in-person to hear their ideas and concerns regarding redistricting. Losing the opportunity for face-to-face interactions certainly has downsides.

"However," continued Boshart Davis, "I encourage everyone who was planning to attend to sign up for these virtual hearings and to share with your friends and neighbors. Your comments made on the record will have the same weight and importance for legislators as we continue this process. I look forward to working with my fellow co-chair and committee members to maximize the opportunities for individuals to testify so that we don’t lose any voices by switching to an online platform.”

The new schedule for the September Redistricting Public Hearings can be found below. Meetings will be held virtually and organized to hear from residents of each current congressional district. Oregonians can participate by signing up for video or phone testimony, uploading written testimony, or by submitting a map for consideration by September 7.

Wednesday, September 8
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.	Residents of Congressional District 1
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.	Residents of Congressional District 2
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.	Residents of Congressional District 3
Thursday, September 9
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.	Residents of Congressional District 4
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.	Residents of Congressional District 5
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.	Residents of Congressional District 1
Friday, September 10
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.	Residents of Congressional District 2
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.	Residents of Congressional District 3
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.	Residents of Congressional District 4
Monday, September 13
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.	Residents of Congressional District 5
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.	Statewide: open to residents of any district
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.	Statewide: open to residents of any district

You can find your congressional district on the Legislative website, by entering your address in the top-right corner and clicking the “Congress” tab.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-08-23 13:25:56

Last Update: 2021-08-23 14:46:51