There are fights around the country as voting districts are being drawn and/or redrawn. Every ten years, the Census data provide population information that informs state legislatures on the number of people that goes into each district. Some new districts are also created when the population has increased to cause such. In Washington state, concerns are lingering over the final voting maps that were approved.
Legislative redistricting in south-central Washington in particular is now being challenged under the federal Voting Rights Act. Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act is a nationwide prohibition against voting practices and procedures, (including redistricting plans) that discriminate on the basis of race, color or membership in a language minority group.
The lawsuit alleges the newly drawn map creates the facade of a district containing a majority of people of Latin heritage. A statewide group representing a coalition of communities of color is legally taking the commission to task. Redistricting Justice for Washington said the line between Districts 14 and 15 splits the Yakima Reservation from the largest Latino community in Washington.
The organization was formerly satisfied with the congressional map. It kept majority communities-of-color districts intact in the Seattle area. The group additionally has concerns about districts in Snohomish and Pierce counties as well.
The Dems in general are unhappy with the new map. Democratic members of the Washington State Redistricting Commission have voted against defending the new maps. Republicans commissioners are stating the Dems’ refusal to defend the maps tarnished the bipartisan process.
The commission’s nonpartisan chair resigned saying that the members had undermined the redistricting process with their vote. Sarah Augustine announced her resignation following the panel’s two Democratic commissioners voting against intervening in a federal lawsuit alleging the maps violated the federal Voting Rights Act.
The commission made decisions behind closed doors as the deadline for maps approached. It admitted to violating the Open Public Meetings Act at the end of the redistricting process in November. A hearing for the federal Voting Rights Act lawsuit in south-central Washington is scheduled for March 25th.
