A bipartisan redistricting commission is debating ways to redraw Washington state’s current 10 congressional districts, shown here. Districts now held by Democrats are shown in blue; those held by Republicans are shown in red. The state redistricting commission is also redrawing the boundaries of 49 legislative districts. (Crosscut graphic)
URGENT: The GOP is spamming the Redistricting Commission website in support of the Republican gerrymandered redistricting maps. These maps do not align with the Redistricting Criteria: RCW 44.05.090: Redistricting plan. (wa.gov)
Comments are needed on the public record in support of the maps by House Member April Sims and Senator Brady Walkinshaw. We suggest you identify yourself as a voter, a veteran, or a representative of particular community or organization – not a Democrat. PLEASE ACT right away and get your written comments in here:
https://www.redistricting.wa.
Verbal comments can be made on Oct 5th 7PM for LD maps and October 9th for CD maps: https://www.redistricting.wa.
https://www.redistricting.wa.
https://www.redistricting.wa.
Registration link for the Oct 9 virtual public outreach meeting:
https://www.redistricting.wa.
https://www.redistricting.wa.
Watch the first part of the WA Dems Redistricting Training video – how to shape and present your testimony. Say your name, some identities, and make one-two clear points, then make an ASK: to support Sims or Walkinshaw map.
MAPS: Here are the WA State Proposed Legislative Redistricting Maps by Commissioners April Sims (D), Paul Graves (R), Brady Pinero Walkinshaw (D), and Joe Fain (R)
https://www.redistricting.wa.
Here are the Redistricting Criteria: RCW 44.05.090: Redistricting plan. (wa.gov)
- Nearly Equal Populations
- Coincide with boundaries of local political subdivisions and areas recognizes as “communities of interest” Counties and cities should be divided as little as possible.
- Should be composed of convenient, contiguous, and compact territory. There should not be barriers to transportation within a district
- Precincts should be wholly within a single LD.
- Shall consist of 49 legislative districts with the House having 98 members and the Senate having 49 members.
- Fair and effective representation and encourage electoral competition. Shall not be drawn purposely to favor or discriminate against any political party or group.
Key Example of Talking points for LD28 (will be different for other LDs):
*Tacoma policies affect nearly by urban/suburban municipalities greatly (LNG, toxic superfunds, NW Detention Center, policing issues, homelessness, etc.). Having West Tacoma citizens in LD28 allows for connectivity and input into Tacoma elections and decision-makers.
*LD28 should keep the West Tacoma portion in our community because the arterial road from Jackson changing into Bridgeport Way is the backbone of our district and waterways and ravines separate us from downtown Tacoma, South Tacoma and East Tacoma. West Tacoma belongs with LD 28 is our community.
*We are suburban communities and we have nothing in common with rural communities to the south and east of us. LD28 already represents a number of contiguous and underrepresented communities of interest.
*LD28 is already a purple (competitive) district. It has a history of mixing Rs and Ds. Only in 2020 for the first time ever, did we elect a black woman to the WA State Senate with a very slim majority. We are proud that we have contributed to the diversity of the Senate by electing a person from an underrepresented group, won with 50.61% of the votes compared to her opponent receiving 49.19% of the votes. We do not want to lose this important representation.
To learn more, listen here:
Phil Gardner, COS for Lt Governor Denny Heck, and Pierce County Council Member Marty Campbell sit down with host Evelyn Lopez to discuss the redistricting process.
