Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan announced today that she is inviting Oregonians to apply to serve on the Oregon People’s Commission on Redistricting.
Like her predecessors, Fagan is preparing for redistricting in case she is needed. The People’s Commission will convene only if the Legislature misses its September 27 deadline, and the Oregon Constitution requires Secretary Fagan to conduct redistricting. If convened, the Commissioners will advise Secretary Fagan and her staff as they conduct public hearings and fulfill the Secretary of State’s constitutional duty in legislative redistricting.
“Redistricting matters because representation that reflects you, your family, and your community is the foundation of our democracy.” said Fagan. If redistricting falls to the secretary of state, it is expected orientation for the People’s Commissioners to be on Sept. 29.
Public hearings on redistricting would then be held in October. The hearing for Oregon’s Second Congressional District, which Umatilla and Morrow counties are part of, would be Oct. 7.
“Today, redistricting is the Legislature’s job,” said Fagan. “While I am optimistic they will pass a redistricting bill by the Sept. 27 deadline, I owe it to Oregonians to be ready to go if they don’t. I made a commitment to Oregonians to convene a People’s Commission to advise me on redistricting and that is exactly what I am preparing to do.”
The People’s Commission provides an opportunity for Oregonians, including those with experience working in historically excluded communities, to play a key role in advising Fagan if the Oregon Constitution requires that she perform legislative redistricting. If convened, the Commissioners will work directly with Fagan on her commitment to an open public process, including engaging with Oregonians in public hearings and other public education and community engagement opportunities. The Commissioners will attend all public hearings, hear testimony from Oregonians, and advise Fagan and her staff on redistricting.
Oregonians seeking to serve on Oregon’s People’s Commission must complete the application at the Oregon Secretary of State’s website by Sept. 2. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and must be an Oregon resident since at least April 1, 2020.
