Legislature hires a lawyer, moves forward with redistricting
By Terry Murry on Monday, March 1st, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SALEM – The U.S. Census Bureau now reports that the 2020 results will not be sent to Oregon until mid- to late-September. Those figures are used in redrawing district lines, and the delay is sparking arguments and an appeal to the Oregon Supreme Court.
The Oregon Legislature is charged with redrawing lines for everything from state representatives to U.S Congressional districts. If it can’t reach an agreement by the adjournment of this session at the end of June, that duty then passes to the Secretary of State Shemia Fagan’s office who is supposed to finish drawing the lines by Aug. 15.
Since the numbers that are at the root of redistricting won’t come until after both of those deadlines, the Oregon Legislature has hired a lawyer and is asking the Oregon Supreme Court to declare that the legislature is granted an exception due to the COVID-19 pandemic and can call a special session to redistrict the state.
Sen. Bill Hansell (R-Athena) sits on the Senate Redistricting Committee and said that panel is proceeding as if it’s the chosen one by holding two public meetings this month.
“We will then take that information and draw tentative lines,” Hansell said. “It’s an attempt to equitably divide the state into equal populations.”
Sen. Tim Knopp (R-Bend) will also participate in those meetings. Both Knopp’s and Hansell’s districts are within Oregon’s second congressional district.
The redistricting question is even more important this year because it’s estimated that Oregon should gain another seat in the U.S House of Representatives, which means the existing districts would shrink in geographical boundaries. Hansell said he and Knopp have a vested interest in what happens to U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) in the second district if that occurs.
“We’re looking to ask the Supreme Court to give us the authority to go into special session and deal with this particular issue,” he said.
If both the Oregon Legislature and the Secretary of State fail to meet deadlines for redistricting, the lines are supposed to be drawn by the Oregon Supreme Court.
