A Letter to Legislators
Dear Members of the Washington State Legislature,
We are Redistricting Justice for Washington, a coalition of over 25 organizations from across the state who have fought tirelessly to bring accountability, transparency, and equity to the redistricting process for communities of color and Tribes.
We are calling on your leadership to pass Senate Bill 5560 because of the mistakes that were made on November 15th, 2021 during the final hour. A blatant disrespect of the process occurred when Commissioners conducted eleventh-hour negotiations off camera violating the open public meetings act, and deciding on a “framework” regarding maps that eventually did not accomplish enough for Washingtonians.
However Senate Bill 5560 does not go nearly far enough, and it would be a disrespect to Washingtonians to stop addressing the large structural problems in our redistricting process there. The coalition also asks that members consider holding a working session during the interim to consider and explore policies to increase transparency, public engagement, and accessibility in the Redistricting Commission. Additionally we ask the Legislature to restructure the Commission in a way that is community-centered: where a bi-partisan commission is eradicated and a non-partisan citizen commission can be implemented.
There are multiple studies that show that independent nonpartisan redistricting commissions where commissioners are selected by an independent process work better than bipartisan commissions composed of partisan legislative appointees. These nonpartisan commissions increase voter confidence in maps, better follow legal requirements, and are composed of independents not just Democrats and Republicans. States like California and Colorado have implemented nonpartisan independent redistricting commissions and had successfully redistricting processes in 2021.
We know we can do better as a state to live up to the spirit of the redistricting process and better protect the voting rights and fair representation of all communities across Washington. We must implement change and structural reform before we find ourselves in the same position in ten years.
Organization Signers:
Redistricting Justice for Washington
Washington Community Alliance
NAACP Alaska, Oregon, and WA State Region
One America
WinWin Action
Progreso: Latino Progress
More Equitable Democracy
APIA Vote
Fix Democracy First
Tacoma Urban League
Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
Asian Pacific Islander Coalition of WA
Rescue Mission and Prayer Network International
Northwest Kenyan Community Association
APACE Votes
APACE
APIC-Yakima
Northwest Progressive Institute
Tacoma Ministerial Alliance
What's Next Washington
Constituent Signers:
Alonso Lopez
Graham Golbuff
Evan Wiederspan
Allison Bachner
Kate Brunette
Laura Theodorson
Bretty Folkins
Michael Martin
Cassidy Butler
Carly Rang
C. Creager
Rebecca and Greg Durr
Jason Harbison
Timothy Liu
Maggie B Coon
Aram Falsafi
Kelsey Hamlin
Ellie Probus
Rachel Doyle
