The legislature interferes in questions of state redistribution

The Washington State Redistricting Commission’s failure to submit new maps for the districts of Congress and the state legislature has disappointed local lawmakers that the decision now rests with the Washington State Supreme Court.

The commission, made up of two Democratic and two Republican appointments, was unable to complete 15 new district maps by the end of November deadline.

The commission had reached an agreement on the reallocation before the deadline but was unable to finalize the maps before the deadline, Commissioner Paul Graves said in a press release.

“I am proud of the Reallocation Commission for their hard work and dedication during this year’s reallocation process,” Graves said in the press release. “In the midst of a pandemic, with months of delays in 2020 census data and six weeks earlier on the calendar than previous commissions, we have run an unprecedented outreach program. We have heard from thousands of Washingtoners, consulted extensively with tribal partners, and ultimately created maps that are fair and reflect the approval of the election commissioners. “

After the deadline, the commission finally released cards for the federal and state representation. Although North Clark County will remain in the Third Congressional District, its state representation would see major changes if the court heeded the commission’s decisions.

The 17th legislative district, which currently represents the district area east of Interstate 205 including parts of the battlefield, would relocate east. It would represent eastern Clark County, including Camas, Washougal, parts of Vancouver, and all of Skamania County.

The 18th Legislative District would clearly disregard its current representation, which includes Salmon Creek, Brush Prairie and the entire Battle Ground.

The 20th Legislative District, which currently represents the northernmost parts of Clark County and Woodland and parts of Cowlitz and Lewis Counties, would occupy some of the current 18th Legislative Territories, including Ridgefield, La Center, and Yacolt.

Local lawmakers expressed disappointment that the decision on the new cards is in the hands of the state’s judiciary.

“I don’t know why things went sideways this time, but it’s disappointing, to say the least, that the Supreme Court is now controlling the outcome,” Senator Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, said in a statement.

Wilson said the court had no experience with reallocations. She worries about the ability of the court to meet the constitutional right to fairness in the districts.

“The people of our state want a bipartisan redistribution process – they started that in 1983,” said Wilson.

She said that the best way to do this is to follow the recommendations of the commission, as the commission is more politically balanced than the democratically-minded Supreme Court.

“(I) it would make the most sense for the court to sign it and leave it alone well enough,” said Wilson.

Senator Ann Rivers, R-La Center, said she understood that the technical challenges in creating the new maps slowed the process down, but based on what she’s heard or read, it’s fair to ask if some are using it agreed to miss the deadline, knowing it would take the decision to the state Supreme Court, where five of the nine judges were or were appointed by the Democrats, “she said in a statement.

“We may never get the full story of what happened, but here’s the reality: Anyone interested in fair elections should want electoral districts that uphold the principle of fair representation required by our constitution,” said Rivers.

She agreed that the court should follow the Commission’s final proposal.

Senator John Braun, R-Centralia, also agreed. He said the commission confirmed that their vote was timely.

Although he said the court should uphold what the commission agreed, he said the proposed limits were “not ideal”.

“I don’t like everything I see on the cards, but the (Supreme) Court’s only role should be to support the cards,” Braun said in a statement.

MP Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, said he was initially disappointed that the commission failed to meet its deadline, even though the publication of the cards was an assurance that they actually found something.

“Even if the deadline has not been met, it is good to know that the process has worked and at least an agreement has been reached,” said Abbarno.

Abbarno pointed out that the virtual nature of the Commission’s work may have caused the delay, drawing on his own experience with a virtual legislative session.

“If you do it virtually, I think the process slows down and the process isn’t as seamless as it can or should be,” Abbarno said.

If approved, the commission’s map would include Abbarnos District at Ridgefield, La Center, and Yacolt. Abbarno said he would work quickly to reach new voters should he end up representing them.

“I’m really proud to represent the 20th district wherever that will be,” said Abbarno.