Snohomish County Government: First Public Meeting For Snohomish County Council Redistricting Set For July 21

Edmonds WA

21 July, 2021

4:03 PM

Description

Press release from the Snohomish County Government: July 20, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   July 15, 2021   Contact:          Garth Fell, County Auditor 425-388-3472 [email protected]    First public meeting for Snohomish County council redistricting set for July 21 Everett, WA – The Snohomish County Districting Committee has scheduled the first opportunity to provide in-person or live public comment on the process of redrawing council districts for Wednesday, July 21. Every ten years boundaries for county council districts are updated to reflect how populations have changed based on the most recent U.S Census. The independent County Districting Committee has until Dec. 1 to approve a plan for new council districts. During the July 21 meeting, attendees will hear a short presentation outlining the process and requirements of redistricting. The meeting will include an opportunity for public comment.   Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. Additional in-person public engagement and feedback opportunities will be scheduled throughout the redistricting process and will be   Additional in-person public engagement and feedback opportunities will be scheduled throughout the redistricting process and will be announced on the committee's website: https://snohomishcountywa.gov/5773/Districting-Committee. Comments are not limited to the public meetings.  Written comments and feedback can be emailed to [email protected] and become part of the public record. About redistricting Under state law, the council districts created under the new plan shall:  Be nearly equal in population Be as compact as possible Consist of geographically contiguous area Not use population data to favor or disfavor any racial group or political party  The plan should also, to the extent feasible: Draw boundaries that coincide with existing recognized natural boundaries; and  Preserve existing communities of related and mutual interest.   The Districting Committee will be working with census data, experts and community feedback to assess the county's population and communities of related interests and develop preliminary options for council districts by October. A final plan will be approved and submitted to the Snohomish County Council by Dec. 1. The Districting Committee consists of five voting members. Four voting members, two from each major political party, were appointed by the Snohomish County Council and the fifth member was appointed by the committee to serve as chair. The chair of the redistricting committee is Kurt Hilt. The Democrat members of the redistricting committee are Hillary Moralez and Bill Phillips. The Republican members of the redistricting committee are Jim Langston and Sid Roberts.  For more information about Snohomish County's redistricting process, public meetings, committee meetings and more, visit https://snohomishcountywa.gov/5773/Districting-Committee.  This press release was produced by the Snohomish County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.