Odd redistricting plan pitched

Associated Press

OLYMPIA — Who says redistricting can’t get creative?

Washington’s citizen Redistricting Commission, charged with rejiggering the state’s legislative and congressional districts by year’s end, is getting some interesting homemade plans to consider.

The one that drew the most attention at the panel’s meeting Thursday was longtime Democratic activist Jim Curdy’s suggestion that congressional districts be drawn in narrow bands from east to west, like layers in a cake.

The intent is for members of Congress to represent people from both sides of the Cascades, rather than a relatively small geographic area, legislative analysts said.

Under Curdy’s plan, districts would stretch from the Pacific Ocean or the San Juan Islands eastward to the Idaho border. The new 9th District, for instance, would stretch from Long Beach to Clarkston, picking up Longview, Vancouver and Walla Walla on the way.

The new 4th would include part of Seattle — and Spokane — and a vast area in between.

Currently there are two Eastern Washington districts, with a north-to-south border dividing the two. Most of Southwest Washington is in the 3rd District. Everett north to the Canadian border is in the 2nd. Much of the Olympic Peninsula, Bremerton and parts of Tacoma are in the 6th. And the other districts are in the Puget Sound region.

The Mattawa man’s plan also would carve up the state into two U.S. Senate districts for the first time. Currently, candidates run statewide and represent the entire state. Both incumbents are from the Seattle area. Curdy uses a north-to-south line from the Canadian border, east of Interstate 5, directly south to the Columbia River in western Klickitat County. This presumably would make it more likely the state would have a senator from Eastern Washington.

Curdy could not be reached for comment.

Commissioners — two Republicans and two Democrats, plus a nonvoting chairman — treated the plan seriously, but offered no public reaction, though there were plenty of smiles in the hearing room.

Commissioner Bobbi Krebs-McMullen, Mount Vernon, later asked staff to prepare a handout for future public meetings describing the legal constraints the commission must observe. Among those is a requirement that districts be compact and convenient, apparently ruling out districts stretching across the state.

Other citizen suggestions the commission received Thursday are more traditional. They propose how to draw legislative district boundaries in Cowlitz County, the Yakima Valley and the 25th District in Pierce County.

A minority coalition plans to submit maps next week, aimed at ensuring minority voting clout isn’t diluted as new districts are created.

Each commissioner will release proposed legislative and congressional district maps at 1 p.m. Sept. 24 in the Cherberg Senate Office Building in Olympia. Hearings are scheduled for Oct. 1 in Centralia, Oct. 5 in Seattle and Oct. 9 in Spokane.

The panel has until Dec. 15 to approve final plans. At least three of the four commissioners must vote in favor. The Legislature can make only minor alterations, and then only with a two-thirds vote in both houses. If the commission fails, the state Supreme Court will draw the maps.

Redistricting Commission: www.redistricting.wa.gov

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

District 2 candidates differ in public safety approach

Incumbent Paula Rhyne is facing challenger Ryan Crowther. The third candidate, Jonathan Shapiro, is no longer seeking the seat.

From left to right, Edmonds City Council Position 3 candidates Joseph Ademofe, Alex Newman and Erika Barnett.
Amid budget crisis, Edmonds City Council candidates talk revenue, affordability

Three newcomers are facing off for Position 3 on the council, currently held by council President Neil Tibbott.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Everett
Everett approves new fines for non-emergency lifts

The fire department will only issue fines for non-emergency lift assists at licensed care facilities, not for individuals at home calling 911.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility about 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington is part of Puget Sound Energy’s clean energy portfolio. (Courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Washington households could see electricity costs increase $115 per year by 2029; 21,800 workers could lose their jobs by 2030, analysts say.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.