Redistricting & Census Information
What is the census?
The census is a constitutionally required program to create an accurate count of all people in the United States. The U.S. Census takes place every ten years.
What is the data the census collected used for?
Census data determines how many seats each state has in the House of Representatives. Additionally, the data is given to the State Redistricting Commission to assist in the redistricting process.
What is redistricting?
Redistricting is the process of changing boundaries of voting districts so that all districts have the same number of people and keep groups together that have minority interests in government. This is how we make sure that everyone has equal representation in government.
Why redistrict?
As states and communities grow and change, peoples' representation in government begins to get out of balance. Redistricting brings everything back into balance to make sure that every Washingtonian is represented fairly in the state Legislature and the U.S. Congress. The U.S. and state constitutions require that each congressional and legislative district represent roughly equal numbers of people and keep groups who have common minority interests together to make sure political power is fairly distributed.
Has Washington always had a Redistricting Commission?
No. Until 1983, the state Legislature was in charge of redrawing the boundaries of Washington's legislative and Congressional voting districts. But it was not a fair process, so the voters of the state approved a constitutional amendment to give redistricting authority to an independent Redistricting Commission. The first time the Redistricting Commission redrew voting district boundaries was in 1991.
How are the commissioners appointed and who may serve?
Every 10 years, following completion of the U.S. Census, the Redistricting Commission is formed. The commission has five members: two from each of the majority party caucuses (two Democrats and two Republicans) and a nonpartisan, non-voting Chair.
A commissioner may be any registered state voter who meets the following requirements:
- Is not a current registered lobbyist, or former lobbyist within one year before appointment
- Is not a current elected official or an elected state, district, or county party official
- Has not held such a position for two years prior to appointment
- Will not campaign for elective office or actively participate in or contribute to a state or federal candidate running for office
- Will not campaign for a state legislative office or for Congress for two years after the new redistricting plan takes effect.
What criteria have to be considered in redrawing voting district boundaries?
State and federal law tells us how the redrawing of voting district boundaries must happen. Legislative and Congressional voting district boundaries must be drawn to:
- Encompass, as nearly as can be done (or is “practicable”), equal numbers of people.
- Comply with the Voting Rights Act to ensure that minorities have an equal opportunity to elect representatives of their choice.
- Make sure that parts of a district are not physically separated (except by bodies of water, where required).
- Make sure that, to the extent possible, boundaries of cities, counties, neighborhoods and communities that have common interests are respected, and their division minimized.
- Make sure they do not favor or discriminate against any incumbent, candidate, or political party.