OLYMPIA, Wash. – The four voting members of the Washington State Redistricting Commission have released their differing visions of voting districts for state representatives in Northwest Washington.
The commission is made up of picks by both caucuses in the state House and Senate.
The two commissioners appointed by Democrats would keep much of Bellingham and western Whatcom County in the 42nd District, with the 40th becoming a mostly rural district covering eastern Whatcom and Skagit Counties.
The Republican appointees would keep most of Whatcom County in the 42nd but move more of Bellingham into what is now the 40th District.
Commission spokesperson Jamie Nixon says at least three of the four members will have to vote in favor of one of the maps to move it forward.
“Those proposed maps will sit at the legislature and if the legislature doesn’t do anything to amend them in 30 days, they’ll become law,” says Nixon. “If the legislature does want to amend them, it requires a 2/3 vote in both chambers to do so.”
Congressional district maps will be released next Tuesday, September 28th.
The commission will hold a public Zoom meeting on October 5th and accept public comment until October 28th.
You can check on a map and get more information at the Washington State Redistricting Commission’s website.