Washington Overview

Redistricting Process: Congressional and state legislative redistricting in Washington is controlled by the Washington State Redistricting Commission. The Commission consists of five members with back-up court supervision. The commission is named by the Minority and Majority Leaders of the House and Senate, each of whom chooses one private citizen as a member. These four individuals then elect a fifth person to serve as the nonvoting chairperson of the commission. If the original four do not promptly (within 5 days) elect a fifth person, then the Washington Supreme Court steps in to choose a chair. This process is nearly identical to the system in Pennsylvania.

The Washington State Constitution requires the commission complete its redistricting plan by January 1, 2012. The plan must pass with at least three votes of the four voting members of the commission. If the commission does not submit a plan by the start of 2012, the supreme court creates the plan. The legislature may amend the plan submitted by the commission, but only with at least a two-thirds vote of both houses. A vote to amend the commission’s plan must be taken within 30 days of the original submission of the plan. After 30 days, regardless of amendments passed, the plan becomes state law for both congressional and legislative districts. The governor does not have veto power of the plan.

The Washington State Redistricting Commission was established by the Washington State Redistricting Act, Chapter 44.05 of the Revised Code of Washington, which was passed in 1983. All of the Commission’s meetings are public, and it keeps a public record of its plans.

Governor: Democrat Christine Gregoire

Legislature: Democrats control both chambers.

Number of Congressional Seats in 2011: 10 (+1 since 2010)

2011 Ideal District Size: 672,454

Link to Washington State Redistricting Commission