Community groups applaud Seattle Redistricting Commission’s first official map proposal
SEATTLE—Following the individual proposals of Seattle’s Redistricting Commissioners, the Commission met Tuesday evening to draw a singular map proposal. The Commissioners—who named respecting communities of interest as a primary concern—landed on a map plan that reflects most of the Redistricting Justice for Seattle (RJS) coalition’s top priorities.
“After five months of organizing across Seattle, our coalition is happy to see that Commissioners listened to our city’s historically excluded residents,” wrote the RJS coalition. “We are thrilled to see Commissioners themselves voice the importance of keeping historically redlined and disproportionately impacted communities intact and empowered.”
The Commission’s singular draft map proposal mirrors much of the RJS coalition’s map proposal. Namely, it keeps the Chinatown-International District alongside the addition of Yesler Terrace in South Seattle-based District 2, represented by Councilmember Tammy Morales. It also reunites Georgetown with South Park in the Duwamish River region within District 1, represented by Councilmember Lisa Herbold. Finally, it seeks to keep Downtown renter communities intact in rapidly-growing District 7, represented by Councilmember Andrew Lewis.
The map plan complies with federal, state, and city charter requirements for redistricting plans. The Commission has not and will not include or consider political data or home addresses of any individual—including sitting Seattle City Councilmembers—in drawing their final map.
The coalition hopes the Commission will keep this basic map structure as they finalize the map by November 8.
Community leaders shared the following statements:
“The Urban League, RJS, and community organizers in the South End and Central District have worked hard to engage residents in our neighborhoods. As a former South Seattle resident and now Yesler Terrace resident, I’m happy to see Commissioners value that work and reunite Yesler Terrace with District 2.”
“I’m happy to see that Commissioners considered public input and communities of interest equitably. Namely, I’m pleased Commissioners first and foremost prioritized keeping Asian and Black communities in Beacon Hill, Rainier Beach, and the Chinatown-International District together in District 2.”
“Young people and renters in the Downtown corridor have represented the bulk of growth in Seattle and especially District 7. It is important we don’t dilute the voting power of either in precisely the few areas that we allow housing to accommodate growth due to historical and continuing systemic inequities.”
“Looking at this map, I can tell right away that communities of color were not discarded for other special interests. This is key to an inclusive redistricting process in a city where people of color are historically excluded.”
“While this map does a good job south of Lake Union, we hope the Commission readjusts District 4’s boundaries to empower the large youth population near UW. Moving District 4 west, not north, helps empower young people to have fair representation.”
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RJS is made up of local, community-based organizations, advocacy groups, community members and non-profits interested in calling for an equitable and transparent Seattle redistricting process. They include Washington Community Alliance, WinWin Network, Fix Democracy First, Asian Counseling & Referral Service, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, League of Women Voters Seattle-King County, Asian Pacific Islander Americans for Civic Empowerment,. Washington Bus, Pacific Islander Health Board, Rainier Beach High School community, Planned Parenthood NW, Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation Development Authority (SCIDpda), UW Greek Pride, FEEST Seattle, and Seattle BEST.
