House and Senate Redistricting Committees Release Proposed Maps for Public Review and Testimony The House and Senate Committees on Redistricting released proposed congressional and legislative maps delineating new district boundaries for Oregon’s congressional and legislative districts. The presented maps are not final and will be used by community members to provide input during the 12 virtual public hearings held September 8 through September 13.

“There has been an impressive amount of public engagement throughout the redistricting process thus far,” said Senator Kathleen Taylor (D-Portland) who chairs the Senate Committee on Redistricting. “We remain committed to fairness, transparency and following the law as we continue to hear from members of the community and finalize electoral maps.”

The proposed maps were created in alignment with statutory criteria. The public is invited to testify and give the committees’ members feedback on the electoral lines.

“We’ve committed to an inclusive and accessible process,” said Representative Andrea Salinas (D-Lake Oswego), co-chair of the House Committee on Redistricting. “Already we’ve heard a record amount of testimony at the beginning of the year following 10 public hearings and we look forward to hearing from the public again next week to ensure fair, representative maps.”

The Legislative website on redistricting has more information on redistricting, to sign up to testify, or to access to previous public hearings held by the committees, visit www.oregonlegislature.gov/redistricting.

Once a decade, based on U.S. Census Data, states redraw electoral lines to reflect population shifts, and take into account changes in demographics to ensure fair representation in government. Due to a delay in Census data caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oregon Supreme Court extended the deadline for completing the new maps to September 27.

As Oregon’s population growth outpaced other states, the state will receive an additional sixth Congressional seat in the U.S House of Representatives. Thus, the committees will draw new lines for six Congressional Districts in addition to drawing lines for Oregon’s 30 State Senate and 60 State House Districts. District lines will be informed by 2020 Census Data and public testimony. Those lines are required to be aligned with Oregon’s statutory criteria.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-09-02 19:17:51

Last Update: 2021-09-05 10:59:19