Redistricting – or reapportionment – is the process of re-drawing the lines for legislative districts. Redistricting occurs every ten years in Oregon, and is supposed to allow legislative district boundaries to be redrawn in order to account for changes in a state’s population.
In Oregon, legislative districts are currently drawn by legislators themselves, which creates an obvious conflict of interest. Instead of drawing legislative districts fairly, politicians draw districts to guarantee their re-election, and the election of their fellow party members. A process that is supposed to be fair and non-partisan is now controlled by self-interested partisan politicians who ignore the basic tenets of fairness in order to enhance their own political power.
The Independent Redistricting Commission Amendment eliminates the conflict of interest and self-dealing by politicians by creating a non-partisan commission of retired judges – appointed by the chief justice of the Oregon Supreme Court – who are responsible for drawing the boundaries for Oregon’s legislative districts. By having judges – and not politicians – draw the lines, the Independent Redistricting Commission Amendment eliminates the conflict of interest that exists in the current system, and guarantees a fair process for all Oregonians.
The E-signature gathering is a simple way for you to be involved. Simply print out a petition sheet, sign it and mail it in. Don't let the elites in Salem continue to ensure their own job security.
