Washington State Redistricting Commission Holds Public Forum Tonight in Bellevue

The Washington State Redistricting Commission is holding a public forum tonight in Bellevue. The meeting is at 6 p.m. tonight, Bellevue, Evergreen Point Room, 11211 Main St.

The redistricting of the state legislative and congressional districts are mandated by the U.S. Constitution every 10 years by counting residents to ensure the system of proportional representation. The 2010 Census determined that nearly all the districts in the state grew at different rates and the lines must be redrawn. 

The shifts in districts could see some changes for Bellevue in the state Legislature, as well as in Congress.

The 41st Legislative District — including parts of Bellevue, Renton, Newcastle and Beaux Arts Village — grew by over 20 percent to 142,722 residents. As a result, the 41st is now too large for the new target population for each district of 137,236, and must shed around 5,486. In contrast, a nearby district, the 37th District — which runs along the western shore of Lake Washington from downtown Renton to downtown Seattle — didn't grow fast enough and must add around 10,000 residents.

The target number is based on the statewide population of 6,724,540 divided equally among forty-nine Legislative Districts.

In Congress, Bellevue is currently part of the U.S. 8th District and is represented by , an Auburn resident who maintains the 8th District office on Mercer Island. The 8th grew the fastest of all the state's congressional districts and must lose about 138,300 residents, followed by the 3rd and 4th districts, which all share common boundaries.

Secretary of State Sam Reed empaneled four political appointees in January — two Democrats and two Republicans — to form a Redistricting Commission to draw up new voter boundaries on a map at the beginning of 2012. The commission is led by a chairperson, a fifth non-voting member appointed by the commission.

The draft of the proposed districts is expected to be ready in September, with a public review in October, according to the redistricting commission's website.

-- Information from Mercer Island Patch