Levy

The process of redistricting is well underway this year, and by the time it’s done, some of our state legislative districts could look completely different. We’re also guaranteed to have a brand new congressional district somewhere in Oregon.

Required by the Constitution once every 10 years, redistricting ensures that political boundaries reflect population changes. The major development this year is the new, sixth congressional seat, which will increase Oregon’s representation in Washington, D.C.

We don’t know what these new legislative districts will look like yet, but we know one thing for sure: your involvement can change everything.

For residents in Congressional District 2, you have a chance to voice your concerns during virtual public meetings that will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 8, starting at 1 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 10, starting at 8 a.m.

If you miss these times, anyone can sign up to testify on Monday, Sept. 13, between 1-4 p.m. and 5:30-8:30 p.m.

It’s important for Oregonians to participate in the process of redistricting because of the impact it has on a variety of issues, including where to put Oregon’s sixth congressional seat and possible changes to who your elected officials can be.

That’s why you’re encouraged to take part in these virtual public meetings. You can influence how maps are drawn, and without your voice it will be harder to draw district lines that reflect your interests.

Oregon is at a high risk of gerrymandering this year, according to reporting from sites like Axios. This would favor one political party over another. Strong public participation can greatly reduce this risk.

You will get to weigh in during these public meetings, and you can even draw your own maps using the tool at the state’s redistricting website, found here.

As you consider what is important to you regarding redistricting, a collection of different criteria used across the country can be found at this link.

I look forward to hearing about the strong public participation from our community on this extremely important issue. For this or any other topic, feel free to reach out to my office for questions or concerns.

To learn more about the redistricting process and sign up to testify, visit oregonlegislature.gov/redistricting.

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