Measure 20-362 - Amendment of Lane Charter to Revise Subsections Governing Redistricting

Summary

The proposed amendment would add subsection 10(4) requiring formation of a citizens redistricting commission to develop Board of Commissioner districts for the 2026 general election and thereafter in each year ending in number one. The citizens redistricting commission would consist of 15 members plus alternates. The power to adopt the final district maps would be transferred from the Board of Commissioners to the new commission. Eligibility requirements for citizens redistricting commission members would include: • Registration to vote in Lane County; • Could not be candidates for or holders of federal, state, county or certain local offices; • Could not be a registered lobbyist; • Could not be paid congressional, legislative, or county employee. • Other requirements. Redistricting commissioners would be selected by lot at a public meeting from a pool of candidates from each Commissioner district. Lane County would provide staff and resources to the commission to fulfill its obligations. Board of Commissioners would adopt regulations to implement the new commission. Charter Subsections 10(3)(d)) and 10(3)(e) would be amended or repealed to conform to the new subsection 10(4).

A “Yes” vote amends the Charter to transfer the power to draw and adopt county commissioner district boundaries for Lane County from the Lane County Board of County Commissioners to a newly created Citizens Redistricting Commission, and establishes a one-time mid-cycle redistricting effort which would be immediately initiated in order to draw county commissioner district boundaries that would be in effect prior to the 2026 election. Thereafter, redistricting would occur each years ending in number one. The financial impact of a yes vote includes the cost to hold an immediate mid-cycle redistricting effort, and the cost of subsequent redistricting efforts which may also increase in order to fulfill requirements outlined in the proposed new Charter subsection 10(4). These costs would include staff time from multiple departments (County Administration, County Counsel and the County Clerk), technological support, and consultants.

A “No” vote retains Section 10 of the Charter and the current redistricting process as-is.

Measure Details