Only one chance every 10 years

Washington has the opportunity to review and change the Redistricting Commission every 10 years. This is the group that works in the background making sure the wheels of democracy turn smoothly and fairly. The commission decides where the lines will be drawn for legislative and congressional districts.

In the next 10 years, decisions about growth, energy, transportation, water, fire and quality-of-life issues will be made by legislators and congressmen. Now, is when you can influence the process.

Counting who lives where is a federally mandated constitutional requirement.

Once that information is known it will be used in drawing legislative district lines. This is your chance to make any corrections for the next 10 years.

The League of Women Voters of Washington urges support of Substitute House Bill 2575 that upgrades and updates the states redistricting process.

The 2,400 League members have been involved with this issue for years, and recently hosted public forums on redistricting with more than 1,600 people attending.

Although they don’t all know what the maps should look like, nearly everyone shares similar ideas about the process.

The shape of political districts is basic to people’s representation. To the greatest extent possible, people from across the state should have a role in the drafting and revising of the political maps.

Over the past few years the five-member, bipartisan Redistricting Commission had public forums to solicit input and agree with the League’s findings. People want to know about commission meetings, want to be able to attend and be able to testify.

This bill includes those provisions. It provides for translation services for those with limited English.

People want to know commission priorities and whether the criteria and objectives were met. People want time to look at preliminary maps, to know what data was used, to give comprehensive feedback and to know that feedback will be considered.

Essentially, people said they want commissioners who listen and focus.

Transparency and accountability go a long way toward having fair maps. 

The entire process must be straightforward, open and clear. People trust what they can see and understand.

The League of Women Voters of Washington enthusiastically supports SHB 2575. We urge the Legislature to lead in redistricting and pass SHB 2575. We want to be ready for what’s coming.

— Lunell Haught is the President of the League of Women Voters of Washington and a resident of Spokane County.