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As many of you know, our 2024-25 Program of Work in Snohomish County includes continuing efforts to reform the Washington State redistricting process. This reform campaign is guided by the Washington State League Redistricting Reform Task Force. Locally, we have a list of nearly 40 members who are interested in the work and are affiliated with our local action team. 

So – what are we working on?

• Locally, we are scheduling meetings with current legislative representatives and senators to hear their thinking about the most recent redistricting process. How did they feel about it? Are there any changes they would support or recommend? These are listening and learning conversations. We are also sharing some of our own thinking about the need for reform and possible new models that might be implemented.

• The State League Task Force is meeting with possible coalition members to begin to build new relationships and create a broad network of support for the campaign.

• The State League Task Force is also continuing to look for funders to underwrite the cost of a statewide survey. We need to gather baseline data to gauge the interest and understanding of residents across Washington State regarding redistricting.  

There are two excellent studies published recently that analyze the effectiveness of a “Citizens Commission” model. This is a model we believe to be effective. We invite you to read more about the issue and findings:

• Campaign Legal Center Study- June 26, 2024: Case studies and analysis of the 2021 redistricting process across the nation with a focus on citizen-led commissions.

• Recent research from University of Southern California, “Fair Maps in the State of California.”

If this is of interest to you, please join us for our monthly meetings – the second Thursday of each month at 10:00 A.M. Links can be found on the LWVSC calendar. We have much work to do. This is a long-term effort that will require many hands and many voices to be successful.