Oregon Gov. Kate Brown signed legislation to create 90 legislative districts as well as add a sixth congressional district. The bills passed largely along party lines. Republican lawmakers say the process is “rigged” to give Democrats an advantage in elections, but showed up to allow the passage. We talk with two legislators a part of the Committees on Congressional Redistricting and State Legislative Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany), is a member of both, and Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-Lake Oswego) is the chair for both.
Doug Spencer teaches law at the University of Colorado and manages the All About Redistricting website. He joins us to share how the Oregon process compares with other states and how redistricting and gerrymandering are now deeply embedded in American politics.
If you’d like to comment on any of the topics in this show or suggest a topic of your own, please get in touch with us on Facebook or Twitter, send an email to thinkoutloud@opb.org, or you can leave a voicemail for us at 503-293-1983. The call-in phone number during the noon hour is 888-665-5865.
Copyright 2021 Oregon Public Broadcasting