Redistricting in Oregon A fair process benefits everyone “Voters should be choosing their representatives, not representatives choosing their voters.”
The Importance of the U.S. Census Required by the U.S. Constitution ● every ten years. Collects population data ● Used to distribute federal funds, ● grants, and support states, counties, and communities Over $675 billion per year in federal ● funds spent on schools, hospitals, roads, public works and other vital programs are based on population data 5/3/19, Redistricting: 2
The Current Oregon Redistricting System • Oregon uses the Legislative Redistricting Model to draw district lines, which uses a very similar process to how bills are passed through the legislature. 5/3/19, Redistricting: 3
5/3/19, Redistricting: 4
How do other states run their redistricting process? State Legislature Redistricting Breakdown: Congressional Redistricting Breakdown: 5/3/19, Redistricting: 5
The Commission Model There are many different forms depending on the state, but their creators share the common goal of reducing the potential for partisan, bipartisan, incumbent-protection, or other types of gerrymandering. • 5 states use an advisory commission • 7 states use an independent commission as a backup • 2 states use an independent commission • 2 states use a politician commission • 9 States use a political appointee commission 5/3/19, Redistricting: 6
Overall problems with current system • Unrealistic, short timeline • Splitting of legislative and congressional redistricting duties • The review process • Politicization of process • There is an inherent conflict of interest 5/3/19, Redistricting: 7
What is the Proposed Reform? A Multipartisan Independent Commission Amend the Constitution of the State of Oregon by repealing the legislative model for an Independent Commission Model to be enacted by the 2021 redistricting session. This reform is based on the California model and focuses on creating a commission of normal multipartisan citizens who do not have an inherent conflict of interest in drawing district lines. 5/3/19, Redistricting: 8
The Applicant Review Panel Will be created by: The Chief Justice, who shall select from a pool of all retired judges to sit on the applicant review panel in order to screen applicants for the commission until three are drawn with these requirements: • The 1 who is most recently retired and has been registered for at least two years with the largest political party in this state • The 1 who is most recently retired and has been registered for at least two years with the 2nd largest political party in this state • The 1 who is most recently retired and has not been registered within the last two years with either of the two parties above 5/3/19, Redistricting: 9
How would Commission Applicants be Screened? Conflicts of interest from the applicant pool will be removed if they are or were related to an immediate family member who was in the last 4 years: • Appointed or elected to, or ran as a candidate for, a federal or statewide office. • An officer, employee or paid consultant of a political party or of a campaign committee • An elected or appointed member of a political party central committee. • A registered federal, state or local lobbyist. • A paid employee of the Legislature, Congress, or executive branch 5/3/19, Redistricting: 10
The Selection of Commissioners The applicant review panel will narrow down the applicants into three pools: A. 50 applicants who are registered with the largest political party B. 50 applicants who are registered with the second largest political party C. 50 applicant who are not registered with either of the two largest political parties In public the Elections Division will then randomly draw 6 names to serve as commissioners as follows: A. 2 from the largest political party B. 2 from the second largest political party C. And 2 who are not registered with either parties 5/3/19, Redistricting: 11
The Selection of Last Commissioners Then the first 6 commissioners that were selected will review the remaining applicants for balance and skills, and by a supermajority, vote for the 6 remaining commissioners as follows: • 2 from the largest political party • 2 from the second largest political party • And 2 who are not registered with either of the two largest parties The commission will then select a Chair and Vice Chair and start the process of gathering public input and redrawing district lines. 5/3/19, Redistricting: 12
The Final Commission The final 12-member commission will then have people who will work toward consensus, have relevant analytical skills, appreciate diversity and reflect the diversity of the state, and will consist of: • 4 members of the largest political party • 4 members of the next largest political party • 4 members who are not members of the two largest political parties. 5/3/19, Redistricting: 13
Commission’s Required Criteria • Comply with the U.S. Constitution and Voting Rights Act • Achieve population equality per member elected • Be geographically contiguous To the extent practicable, redistricting maps shall: • Achieves both partisan fairness and competitiveness; • Preserve geographic integrity • Establish district boundaries that follow permanent and easily recognizable geographic features; 5/3/19, Redistricting: 14
How Can Oregon Enact Redistricting Reform? In order to change the redistricting process there will have to be an Oregon constitutional amendment. The process for a constitutional amendment either goes through the legislature as a referral or as an initiative. 5/3/19, Redistricting: 15
Redistricting Initiative Campaign • Up to 3 chief petitioners must be chosen and a PAC formed when a prospective petition is filed • The League is involved in: • Finalizing measure language • Campaign infrastructure • Executive and Steering Committees • Starting the ballot title process requires 1000 signatures • Initiative Petitions for constitutional amendments in 2020 require Signatures equal to 8% of votes cast for governor which is: 149,360 16
5/3/19, Redistricting: 17
18
An Effective Petition Campaign Hold forums to generate attention and momentum around the issue ● Most events are an opportunity to gather signatures ● Petitions are most successful when they exist online and offline ● When thinking about your pitch: ● Ask if person is registered to vote in Oregon 1. Choose a topic and target 2. Describe the problem and the solution. 3. Make your direct ask 4. 19
Best Petitioning Tactics Carry multiple clipboards 1. Ask if they are registered to vote 2. Have one or two very fast "stopper" lines 3. Show them the petition and give a <30 second pitch 4. Hold a pen out to them, at about chest level 5. When they agree, Stop selling and say something confirming 6. Give them clear signing instructions 7. Take only the clipboard, and leave them with the pen while you check 8. that they signed correctly. Take the pen back, and politely thank them 9. 5/3/19, Redistricting: 20
Best Petitioning Tips Don’t be sad 1. Smile 2. Practice 3. Prepare for common questions 4. Role Play 5. Put details on back of clipboards 6. Don’t have long conversations or arguments 7. Ask people if they would like to help! 8. Foot traffic and boredom are your friends 9. 5/3/19, Redistricting: 21
Break-Out Session • Lets Practice! • The Scenario You and another member are downtown collecting signatures for the redistricting initiative. You are having a hard time getting people to talk to you and people keep walking by and looking away. You decide to practice your pitch and your stopper lines with you colleagues to build up your confidence and come back ready to engage with people. 22
Debrief • How did that go? • What did your petitioner do that you thought was effective? • What solutions might you have to the more challenging parts of petitioning? 23
Questions? For comments of questions please contact: President of the League of Women Voters of OR Norman Turrill Phone: (503) 581-5722 Email: n.turrill@lwvor.org Redistricting Campaign Coordinator Candalynn Johnson Email: Candalynn@lwvor.org Phone: 541-905-1808 Visit our website: lwvor.org/redistricting-in-oregon/ 5/3/19, Redistricting: 24
Recommend
More recommend
