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Dispatches from public radio's correspondent at the Oregon Legislature. This is a venue for political and policy coverage of the state government in Salem and its impact on the people of Oregon.

Oregon Redistricting Task Force Recommends Independent Commission

Chris Lehman
/
Northwest News Network

An Oregon task force is recommending that future redistricting be done by an independent commission. The task force was created by Republican Secretary of State Dennis Richardson.

It’s recommending that an 11-member independent commission draw the maps of legislative and congressional districts. California and Washington use similar methods. ?

Redistricting is a process that happens every 10 years following the census. Currently the job falls to Oregon lawmakers. Richardson said his plan would reduce the chance that the maps would be manipulated by political parties hoping to protect incumbents.

But Democratic Party of Oregon Chair Jeanne Atkins said Richardson is trying to solve a problem that doesn’t exist.

“I don’t think the Secretary’s made the case for it,” she said.

A spokesperson for Richardson said the Secretary of State is talking to Republican lawmakers in an attempt to get the plan introduced during the next legislative session.