County Redistricting Committee Seeks Public Input

By Stan Matthews
County Website and Communications Manager

The count is in and it’s time for the drawing to begin.

The San Juan County Redistricting Committee will host a series of public meetings and gather input as it begins work on a plan to redraw the six County Council districts.

“Washington is one of the few states that have opted for a fair, non-partisan process in redistricting,” says Lura Powell, chair of the State Redistricting Commission. “Our laws help to ensure that redistricting is just, but the only way for fairness to happen in reality is if people weigh in and give us their thoughts and suggestions.”

In San Juan County, public input is especially important this year, as census figures show the County’s Council districts need to be adjusted to equalize the number of people in each district.

In doing its job, the Redistricting Committee must follow state guidelines including:

• Each district must have nearly equal numbers of people as determined by the 2010 census
• District boundaries should encompass areas that are contiguous and compact.
• Districts may not favor or disfavor political or racial groups
• District boundaries should endeavor to preserve existing communities of related interest.

The redistricting committee is studying options for meeting those guidelines and representing the public’s interest, and examples of those options will be presented at the public meetings.

The committee has scheduled the following meetings and encourages the public to attend and participate:

• July 9, 4 p.m. at the Waldron Island Community Center.
• July 11, 4 p.m. San Juan Island – in the Legislative Hearing Room 55 Second Street Friday Harbor.
• July 29, 4 p.m. – Orcas Island –  the Eastsound Fire Station 45 Lavender Lane. .

The Districting Committee can be contacted at: redistricting@sanjuanco.com

More information is available on the County Elections web page:   www.sanjuanco.com/elections