Independent Redistricting Commission Amendment
The Independent Redistricting Commission Amendment amends the Oregon Constitution and changes the way state legislative districts are drawn in Oregon. Currently, state legislative districts are drawn by the legislature, subject to certain constitutional and statutory requirements, every 10 years after the federal census is taken. If the state legislature fails to redraw districts, the task falls into the lap of the Secretary of State, who is also subject to the same constitutional and statutory requirements.
The problem that has arisen in recent years is that allowing partisan politicians such as the state legislature or the Secretary of State to redraw legislative district lines is like allowing a football team on offense to call the plays for the other team’s defense. The offensive team is guaranteed to win every time. That same conflict of interest is what governs the drawing of legislative districts in Oregon – the party in power redraws legislative districts in such a way to guarantee that political party stays in power.
In order to eliminate this obvious conflict of interest, the Independent Redistricting Commission Amendment will create a commission of five (5) retired trial court judges (one from each Oregon congressional district) who will be responsible for redrawing legislative district lines, without regard to political parties.