More bad examples of partisan map-rigging, redistricting

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

Things that make you go “hmmmm?” about this year’s Congressional Redistricting. Why do some lines jig and jag while others link certain areas together? A reasonable person should question this year’s proposed maps by Democrats and underscore another reason why Republicans legitimately raised concerns of gerrymandering.

The main issue in 2021 is around where to place Oregon’s new Sixth Congressional District. In redistricting, tradition, practice, and fairness dictate that communities of interest are linked, geography and boundaries are followed and impropriety about potential candidates and any political party advantage is avoided.

First, for the new CD 6 and redrawn CDs 1 and 5, look at these two odd jaggy lines:

The outcropping lower right around Tualatin, Durham follows no city limits or county borders. Then the upper left chunk that goes in and out from Farmington is another puzzler.

Then, there’s CD 3, Earl Blumenauer’s district. Traditionally, this district has been a clean, compact district mainly around Multnomah County and adjoining Portland suburbs. The new CD 3, though, heads eastward to D-leaning rural communities of Hood River and The Dalles, turning south to grab Bend – a nearly four hour drive from Portland. Odd change, odd linkage.

Conclusion? Diluting, reducing ability of the opposite political party not in power (Republicans, Independents, Libertarians) to represent these districts in the future if not outright locking in the political party in power (Democrat) domination for years to come. To paraphrase a poem, “A Gerrymander is a Gerrymander is a Gerrymander.”

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