US House Redistricting: Washington

[CultureKing]

I just find the entire idea that minorities can't get elected in this state without their own special districts to be absolutely absurd.

Majority white King County elected minorities as its executives in 1993, 1997, 2001, and 2005.

Majority-white Seattle, which is basically WA-7, had a black mayor for two terms in the 1990s.

A majority-white county council district may very well elect a black county councilman this November, despite only being 2-3% black probably.

John Lovick is black and got elected Snohomish County Sheriff (and as a state legislator before that) despite running in majority-white constituencies.

We were one of the first states to elect a minority Governor.

Jaime Herrera was elected in WA-3, despite it being majority white. One of her main opponents in the Republican primary was also a minority.

Minorities can get elected in Washington without racial gerrymandering. And to suggest otherwise is not just dishonest, but insulting to the rest of us by implying we don't vote for minorities when we clearly have a lengthy track record of doing so.

And really, they're proposing a district that is still 49% white!! And probably about 54-55% 18+ white! And maybe over 60% when you count only voters!

Demographic changes in the 9th district will probalby result in it becoming majority-minority soon anyway. There is absolutely no reason to ruin the rest of the Puget Sound districts for such a pointless reason.

While I agree with your rant Bgwah I am afraid that those who get to decide have had a swig of the kool-aid and probably won't be listening to reason anytime soon.

[CultureKing]

One big problem with that map Lewis: Having the 3rd cross via White Pass would likely cause outrage by one side or the other. Also Democrats would probably be foaming at the mouth and attack the first thing in sight.

[CultureKing]

I think it works beautifully. And I also eliminated all those Puget Sound crossings that had always bothered me.

They are part of the regular transportation network of the state.

Also there is a bridge across the Tacoma Narrows, so a cross-Puget Sound District is absolutely fine there. Although ferry connected districts aren't that bad..

[CultureKing]

What is taking so long!??!!

[CultureKing]

No congressional district maps tomorrow.

[CultureKing]

Maps are out sometime today!

[CultureKing]

Whelp, a balsy move by the republicans on the committee, they certainly emerged as the victors. I am still shocked at how the 1st and 2nd came out, this is basically as good as it gets for Republicans.

Oh and thanks for the accolades on my map earlier, I actually thought that was going to be the Republican stretch map but I appear to have been wrong.

[CultureKing]

Quick question: Why did the Dem appointees agree to this map? Wouldn't the courts have drawn a better deal for us?

[CultureKing]

ugh... I still can't get over how needlessly horrendous the 2nd is. The mappers could have accomplished all the same objectives without creating such an eyesore.

[CultureKing]

Honestly I would prefer a court-drawn map myself.

...So go dead-lock!!! Whoot!
Don't they only have until today (when is the deadline)?

[CultureKing]

yay, I guess? Oh well, I guess we are stuck with horrible CD boundaries for the next 10 years.