Apply by Sept. 2 for People’s Commission on Legislative Redistricting
2 min read
If the Legislature does not meet a Sept. 27 deadline, the Oregon Constitution passes redistricting responsibility to Secretary of State Shemia Fagan. She is asking for help from a People's Commission on Redistricting.
Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan is inviting Oregonians to apply by Sept. 2 for the Oregon People’s Commission on Redistricting. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and must be an Oregon resident since at least April 1, 2020.
“Redistricting matters because representation that reflects you, your family, and your community is the foundation of our democracy,” she said.
The Oregon Constitution requires Secretary Fagan to conduct redistricting if the Legislature misses its deadline, which this year is Sept. 27. If redistricting falls to the Secretary of State, meetings and public hearings will likely be held on the following days:
- Sept. 29 – Orientation
- October 6 – Evening public hearing in Oregon Congressional District 4
- October 7 – Evening public hearing in Oregon Congressional District 2
- October 8 – Evening public hearing in Oregon Congressional District 5
- October 9 – Public hearing in Oregon Congressional District 1
- October 9 – Public hearing in Oregon Congressional District 3
- October 12 – Commission debrief meeting
Like her predecessors, Secretary Fagan is preparing for redistricting in case she is needed. If convened, the Commissioners will advise Secretary Fagan and her staff as they conduct public hearings and fulfill the Secretary of State’s constitutional duty in legislative redistricting.
“Today, redistricting is the Legislature’s job. While I am optimistic they will pass a redistricting bill by the Sept. 27 deadline, I owe it to Oregonians to be ready to go if they don’t,” she said. “I made a commitment to Oregonians to convene a People’s Commission to advise me on redistricting and that is exactly what I am preparing to do.”
The People’s Commission provides an opportunity for Oregonians, including those with experience working in historically excluded communities, to play a key role in advising Secretary Fagan if the Oregon Constitution requires that she perform legislative redistricting.
If convened, the Commissioners will work directly with Secretary Fagan on her commitment to an open public process, including engaging with Oregonians in public hearings and other public education and community engagement opportunities.
The Commissioners will attend all public hearings, hear testimony from Oregonians, and advise Secretary Fagan and her staff on redistricting.
The Oregon Secretary of State’s mission is to build trust so that Oregonians trust the public services that can make a difference in their everyday lives. The People’s Commission is central to a robust public process that gives Oregonians opportunities to be heard. More on the Commission can be found here: https://sos.oregon.gov/Pages/redistricting.aspx .
