Our Proposal

As we approach the 2020 census and the potential that Oregon’s population growth will result in the addition of a sixth congressional district, we need to make sure the process for drawing new district boundaries is fair.

Changes who draws the lines and how

• Creates an independent multi-partisan commission of 12 Oregon citizens to take public testimony and draw legislative and congressional voting maps according to strict criteria.
• The commission will be made up of four Democrats, four Republicans and four others who are third party members or non-affiliated.
• Allows every-day Oregonians who meet  certain criterion – such as being registered to vote in Oregon and not being an elected or appointed official or lobbyist – to apply to serve on the 12-member commission.
• Commission would be made up of Oregonians who represent the gender, racial, ethnic, geographic and other diversity of our state.
• Requires the commission to use transparent and objective criteria to draw lines.
• Adds criteria to promote competitive districts, protection against splitting communities, and fair representation.

Increase transparency and public participation

• Creates a stronger system for checks & balances of the multi-partisan commission.
• Requires a multi-partisan and majority vote of commissioners before maps can be adopted.
• Requires at least 10 public hearings to be held across the state, allowing the public to attend meetings, provide input and comments on the mapping process.
• Prevents partisan legislators, special interest lobbyists, and political strategists and staff from influencing the process.

Create positive impact for all Oregonians

• Ensures that every Oregonian’s voice counts in choosing our elected representatives.
• Gives Oregonians balanced leadership, focused on equal representation by their elected officials.
• Provides a greater opportunity for under-represented communities like low-income Oregonians, persons of color, rural Oregonians and seniors to have a voice in their representation;
• Creates better geographic, economic, social, community and political diversity in drawing the district maps for our state legislators and congressional representatives;
• Elect lawmakers who are more representative of their districts.
• Puts everyday Oregonians, not politicians, in charge of drawing voting districts.