The League of Women Voters of Oregon is still hard at work with statewide redistricting efforts. Look for these important developments and events in the next several weeks.
The August 12 (Early) Census Data Release
The U.S. Census Bureau will release the first local level results from the 2020 Census on August 12, ahead of the previous target date of August 16. States use these data on race, Hispanic origin, the voting-age population, and other demographic characteristics to redraw the boundaries of their congressional and state legislative districts.
A federal census news conference on August 12 will provide initial analysis of the first local level 2020 Census results including: population change, race, ethnicity, voting-age population, and housing occupancy status. Learn more about the conference and find access links here.
Secretary of State Shemia Fagan Announces “People’s Commission”
Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan has announced a new “People’s Commission” to advise her on redistricting. This People’s Commission will convene only if the Legislature misses its September 27 legislative redistricting deadline, imposing the Oregon Constitutional requirement for Secretary Fagan to conduct redistricting. If convened, the Commissioners can advise Secretary Fagan and her staff as they conduct public hearings and fulfill the Secretary of State’s constitutional duty in legislative redistricting.
Quoted from Secretary Fagan’s August 5 press release:
“Today, redistricting is the Legislature’s job. While I am optimistic they will pass a redistricting bill by the September 27 deadline, I owe it to Oregonians to be ready to go if they don’t,” said Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan. “I made a commitment to Oregonians to convene a People’s Commission to advise me on redistricting and that is exactly what I am preparing to do.”
Oregonians seeking to serve on Oregon’s People’s Commission must complete the application at the Oregon Secretary of State’s website by September 2nd. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and must be an Oregon resident since at least April 1, 2020.
Additional information and the application for Oregon‘s People’s Commission can be found here.
Redistricting Webinar on August 25
Oregon’s redistricting process is underway and we’re days away from receiving the population data to build our new state legislative and congressional districts for the next decade.
Are you and your organization ready to engage in the process to create fair districts?
Are you ready to testify or submit written testimony, critique the legislature’s draft redistricting maps, and even submit your own maps, at the early September hearings?
Join us for a virtual information session. We will answer your questions and discuss what you need to know, including key deadlines coming in the next few weeks, your opportunities to be heard, an explanation of ESRI (the free publicly available map-drawing tool), the impact of “differential privacy”, and more.
Be involved, be ready, and be there on Wednesday, August 25 to learn more.
Event sponsored by LWVOR, Common Cause and other coalition members.
Hearings on Proposed Redistricting Maps
Once the needed redistricting data arrives on August 12, legislative committees will spend several weeks developing draft congressional and legislative maps. Starting in September, the committees plan to embark on a statewide tour to gather feedback and learn about communities of interest. The following meetings have been tentatively scheduled, though they are subject to change. Locations to be determined.
September 8 – Bend at 5:30 PM
September 9 – Eugene at 5:30 PM
September 10 – Salem at 9:00 AM
September 10 – Oregon City/North Clackamas County at 3:00 PM
September 11 – Central Portland at 9:00 AM
September 11 – Hillsboro/Beaverton at 3:00 PM
September 13 – Oregon Capitol at 9:00 AM and 1:00 and 5:30 PM
Check our frequently updated redistricting page for location updates and related news on Oregon’s upcoming legislative redistricting hearings.