Supreme Court ruling on redistricting has little effect for Washington, Idaho

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Washington and Idaho voters didn’t have a big stake in Thursday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that refused to overturn redistricting plans that critics say are unfairly drawn.

Citizens of both states have taken the power to draw congressional and legislative districts away from each Legislature and put it in the hands of bipartisan commissions. The panels don’t prevent gerrymandering, but make it more difficult with evenly stacked boards and public meetings.

The five-member Washington State Redistricting Commission is created every 10 years to redraw those lines after every census. Each of the four voting members is appointed by a top legislator, ensuring the commission starts with two Democrats and two Republicans, who in turn select a commission chairman, who runs the meeting and oversees the process, but doesn’t vote on the plans.

The commission holds public hearings around the state where citizens can suggest local concerns or submit their own maps. The final boundaries must be approved by at least three of the four members.

Meanwhile, the Idaho Citizens Commission for Reapportionment is similar although it has six members. The majority and minority party leaders of the Senate and House each get an appointment to the commission, as well as the Republican and Democratic state party chairs. The commissioners can’t have been state or county elected officials in the last two years. At least four of the six members must approve the new district boundaries. (Spokesman-Review)

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