Legislature Should Also Hold Hearings on Draft Redistricting Maps

For Immediate Release: April 8, 2001

For Questions: Contact Janice Thompson at 503-283-1922

Today Common Cause Oregon and the League of Women Voters of Oregon submitted testimony to the House and Senate redistricting committees suggesting five principles to inform their important work drawing new legislative and congressional district maps.

Of particular concern is ensuring public input on draft plans. “Our organizations strongly urge the legislature to conduct several public hearings on draft maps, a step that was not done in 2001, to make our state’s good redistricting process even better,” said Janice Thompson, executive director of Common Cause Oregon.

“The legislature should also consider all redistricting criteria and not draw a sweetheart plan designed to maintain the political status quo in Salem,” continued Thompson.

Since the League of Women Voters of Oregon and Common Cause Oregon testimony focused on bigger picture suggestions for the redistricting process it was submitted electronically as written testimony and not at one of the public hearings underway with a focus on hearing from local residents on communities of interest. “The current round of hearings are very important, they just don’t replace the need to also seek public input on draft maps.” said Thompson.

The full statement available: