By Sen. Mark Schoesler

OLYMPIA–Every 10 years, under Washington's constitution, the Redistricting Commission is re-established to draw new legislative and congressional district maps in our state for the next decade. The redistricting process occurs after the completion of the national census, which is taken every 10 years, most recently in 2020. The commission includes five members. The leader of each of the four major legislative caucuses appoints one commissioner. Those four commissioners then appoint a fifth, nonvoting, chairperson. Enactment of new district maps for Washington requires approval by three of the four voting members, followed by the endorsement of the Legislature.

If you want to keep track of what the Redistricting Commission is doing, its next regular meeting is scheduled on August 16 from 7–9 p.m., followed by a meeting on September 20. The commission is expected to release first drafts of congressional and legislative district maps in late September. The commission faces a November 15 deadline to complete its final redistricting plan for the state.

Last weekend, the Redistricting Commission held a public outreach meeting with residents of the 4th and 5th congressional districts. (The 9th Legislative District lies within the 4th and 5th congressional districts.)

You can watch the video of this meeting here https://www.tvw.org/-tch/?eventID=2021071013.