The Oregon Supreme Court has announced that the legal challenges of recent redistricting decisions have been dismissed and that the newly created district boundaries will be upheld. Two different challenges were dismissed.

Super-minority Republicans in the state have expressed dissatisfaction with the results, after House Speaker Tina Kotek (D-Portland) reneged on a deal made with the Republicans earlier in the year, which would have allowed equal representation on the Redistricting Committee.

House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby) released the following statement in response to the court decision to deny petitions against the legislative redistricting map passed by House and Senate Democrats on party lines.

“This court decision approves a legislative redistricting map that predetermines election results for the next decade. Democrats have significantly reduced competition by picking which party will represent most House or Senate districts. That’s not a real choice for Oregonians. That’s gerrymandering.”

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Democrats have also weighed in on the decision:

“I am pleased that the Oregon Supreme Court has found that the Legislature’s redistricting maps meet all legal standards,” said Senator Kathleen Taylor (D-Portland), who served as chair of the Senate Redistricting Committee. “The Senate Redistricting Committee worked tirelessly to gather input from Oregonians across the state and use the 2020 Census data to create fair districts, all under an incredibly compressed timeline. The Legislative Assembly has once again succeeded in delivering on its constitutional duty of redistricting.”

“Today’s decision shows that Senate Democrats get things done, and that the Oregon Legislature takes its responsibilities very seriously,” said Senate Majority Leader Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego). “I commend the tireless efforts of Senator Taylor, the redistricting committee members, and all of my colleagues who made significant contributions to get their constituents involved in the process.”

The legislative redistricting plan will take effect on January 1, 2022.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-11-22 13:48:18

Last Update: 2021-11-22 16:38:10