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Every 10 years, Washington state redraws voting district boundaries based on new census data. According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, the current bipartisan system, where Democrats and Republicans decide the maps together, has been in place for over 30 years. But after seeing states like Texas redraw their voting maps to favor Republicans, Washington Democrats are attempting to do the same to balance Texas out.
To maintain a majority in the House after mid-term, the dominant Republican party redistricted Texas with the goal of adding five seats, in favor of Republicans. According to Harvard Kennedy School, the act of gerrymandering, or drawing maps to favor a political cause or party, is not a foreign concept in this country. California also made a move, passing Proposition 50, also creating the opportunity for five more democratic seats in the House.
AP United States History teacher Randy Litzenberger points out the importance of knowing the causes and effects of each decision.
“We have to understand the context for fair rendering of the facts,” says Litzenberger.
During the week of January 8, Democrats’ majority leader and Washington state representative in the House of Representatives, Joe Fitzgibbon, submitted a resolution which would allow state leaders to redistrict. For this to pass, the Democrats would need two-thirds of the vote in the two chambers of the Legislature, then it would go to a vote on the state ballot. Since, a two-thirds vote is needed, Democrats will need many Republican votes too. Fitzgibbon also acknowledged this, remarking how the resolution has a low chance of passing. The resolution was put out there to start the conversation and introduce the idea of gerrymandering. Democrats are hoping for a two-thirds majority after general elections in the fall, which would put them in a good position to pass a similar resolution later. This is highly unlikely though. Republican leader, Republican John Braun, believes the current system reflects the bipartisan part of Washington voters.
So, what do Bellevue students think? Sophomore Isabella Li was asked how she felt about other states that have made the change in redistricting.
“It demonstrates the capacity and trends this country has shown repeatedly. It’s done for own selfish gain but on a deeper level it shows how we can’t do things ‘fairly’" said Li.
There are many different views on this topic. In Washington, Democrats might see the redrawing of maps as the sure way for their party to win, while Republicans argue that redrawing maps is an unfair abuse of power and does not hold true to many legalities.
