Why Redistricting Matters
The redistricting process drives political representation of our critical communities for the next decade. The stakes are high and include our representation in Congress, state legislatures, city and county councils, and school boards. These representatives influence policies and resources for education, health care, economic development, infrastructure, the environment, voting rights, protection of workers, immigration, law enforcement, civil rights, and other areas.
District boundaries influence who runs for public office and who is elected. Elected representatives make essential decisions that impact our lives, from ensuring safe schools to adopting immigration policies. Our communities must remain together so we can influence whether elected officials feel obligated to respond to our needs or not.
District boundaries are re-drawn every ten years, and policy implications stretch far beyond the next decade. That is why communities must show up to the process.
Due to population growth, Oregon secured a sixth Congressional seat! Voicing your community’s needs and vision for the districts is critical to ensuring our communities are adequately represented. The new district will change the district lines for all of the other districts. We must advocate for our communities in this process to influence who represents us.
Why should I be involved?
Redistricting has been used to exclude communities from political power. By fully participating in and monitoring the redistricting process, our communities of interest, e.g., Black, Latinx, Asian Pacific Islanders (API), Indigenous and Tribal, Disabled, LGBTQI+, rural, working poor, and other under-represented communities have the opportunity to elect candidates of their choice and voice their needs and interests.
Own your story
Community members define their communities by telling their own stories, in their language and style, and by describing their concerns to policymakers. Without this, those who may not have their best interest in mind will define the community for them.
Who is in charge
of redistricting?
Oregon has two bi-partisan committees on Redistricting Committees in the House and Senate. They’re in charge of upholding the Oregon Constitution (Article 4- Section 6) and the Oregon Revised Statute 188. The committees design the redistricting maps before the entire legislature reviews them for approval.
Currently, Oregon has 30 Senate Districts. These members represent us on the Senate side of the legislature and serve on committees through the current legislative session. There are currently 60 House Districts. These members represent us on the House side of the legislature, and they serve on committees through the current legislative session.
01
Community of Interest
A neighborhood, community, or group of people who share critical community and policy concerns. Critically, BIPOC communities must not be diluted by being broken up across district lines. When we are not in a power block, our ability to address policy concerns is weakened.
02
Building Power
Communities shaping their stories, demanding representation, and advocating to remain in power blocks -- is critical to an equitable Oregon.
03
No Gerrymandering
Being involved in redistricting makes it difficult for the state, city, and local representatives to recreate racists district decisions or hoard power.
04
Future Stakes
These district lines impact gun laws, healthcare, school districts, resources, access to healthy food, environmental policies, and other critical issues for ten years. Get involved in shaping your future!
01
Community of Interest
A neighborhood, community, or group of people who share critical community and policy concerns. Critically, BIPOC communities must not be diluted by being broken up across district lines. When we are not in a power block, our ability to address policy concerns is weakened.
02
Building Power
Communities shaping their stories, demanding representation, and advocating to remain in power blocks -- is critical to an equitable Oregon.
03
No Gerrymandering
Being involved in redistricting makes it difficult for the state, city, and local representatives to recreate racists district decisions or hoard power.
04
Future Stakes
These district lines impact gun laws, healthcare, school districts, resources, access to healthy food, environmental policies, and other critical issues for ten years. Get involved in shaping your future!