redistricting – League of Women Voters of the Umpqua Valley

Redistricting Commission

The idea of a balanced and fair redistricting commission has failed to make the November ballot after a number of legal steps.

U.S. Supreme Court on Aug. 11 stayed a judge’s order that allowed more time to collect signatures. However, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said it was clear the clock was going to run out. The Court said if the pandemic continues there may be more allowances in the future.

But for now, the process remains the same: The Legislature and the governor, meaning that Democrats will likely have full control over the redistricting process next year after the 2020 Census is finished.

Source: OPB, 9/2/20

Initiative Petition 57

The process for drawing congressional and legislative district boundaries has, for too long, been controlled by politicians. Letting politicians manipulate voting maps is like putting the fox in charge of the hen house. Politicians in power shouldn’t be allowed to draw voting maps that benefit themselves and their party.

People Not Politicians proposes Initiative Petition 57 to reform that process and create a fairer, more transparent system. At its simplest, this initiative would create an independent citizen redistricting commission comprised of Oregonians.

This is critical to do it now! Redistricting only happens every 10 years after a census is taken.

The Secretary of State has agreed to accept petitions from People Not Politicians and allow the gathering of more signed petitions until August 17. Read the Secretary of State Bev Clarno’s press release.

The League of Women Voters of Oregon along with a coalition are working hard on getting Initiative Petition 57 on the November 3rd ballot. If the petition makes the ballot voters will have the chance to vote on creating an independent redistricting commission for the state of Oregon. Now the redistricting is done by the state Legislature, a group of politicians.

See our home page for more information.

Redistricting Forum Round 2

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You are invited to an educational forum about Redistricting, AKA Gerrymandering.

If you would like to know more about this important subject that affects every election, please attend.

Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019
1:30 to 3:30 PM
Roseburg Public Library
1409 Diamond Lake Blvd, Roseburg, OR
South Umpqua Room

Here’s a link to a PDF that will fill you in about how/why it’s done in Oregon.

Link to why we do redistricting all over the country. It’s all about the national census that will take place in 2020, making the next census critical to redistricting done in the following year, 2021.

Here’s a great link to the Brennan Center information on the subject.

Please plan on attending this interesting meeting. The state League of Women Voters of Oregon will present a compelling case. Let’s hear from you, too!

This meeting is open and free to the public. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, email lwvuv.info@gmail.com or call [541] [672] [6982].

Redistricting Meeting Nov. 13

We believe that voters should choose their representatives, not representatives choose their voters.

Now that you’ve voted, here’s a subject we need to delve into — Redistricting or AKA Gerrymandering.

Join us on —
Tuesday, Nov. 13th
7PM to 8:30PM
at the Holiday Inn Express in Roseburg
(375 W. Harvard Blvd)

Please join the League of Women Voters as we tackle a big issue: gerrymandering. With the 2020 U.S census coming so is the 2021 redistricting process. Come learn about our current redistricting process, how it impacts elections here in Oregon, and what reform could look like. There will be a time for Q & A as well. This is a space to talk about how we can move forward in advocating for fair representation, competitive districts, and a system that prevents abuse. Because we believe that voters should choose their representatives, not representatives choose their voters.

See our web page for more information.

Print and pass out a flyer – download it here.