Governor Kate Brown Calls Special Session For Redistricting

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Governor Kate Brown has called lawmakers back to Salem.

The focus of the Governor’s special legislative session will be to adopt new congressional and legislative district maps.

The special session starts Monday, September 20th.

The Oregon Supreme Court says the legislature must complete redistricting plans for state legislative districts and federal congressional districts by September 27th.

Here’s more from the Governor’s office:

(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown today called the Oregon Legislature into a special legislative session in order to adopt new congressional and legislative district maps, the next step in the census and redistricting process. The special session will begin on Monday, September 20 at 8:00 a.m. The Oregon Constitution directs the Legislature to reapportion legislative districts every ten years, following the U.S. Census.

“In Oregon, we believe your vote is your voice, and every voice matters,” said Governor Brown. “This special session is an opportunity for legislators to set aside their differences and ensure Oregon voters have their voices heard at the ballot box. Based on my conversations with legislative leaders, and the ongoing public testimony we are hearing from Oregonians across the state this week, I believe the Legislature is ready to begin the next step of the redistricting process.”

According to the Oregon Supreme Court’s recent decision in State ex rel Kotek v. Fagan and Senate Bill 259 (2021), the deadline for the Legislature to complete redistricting plans for state legislative districts and federal congressional districts is September 27, 2021.