Oregon officials seek answers about redistricting deadline
By SARA CLINEMarch 11, 2021 GMT
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — As Oregon’s redistricting deadline draws closer, and census data is delayed, the state’s legislative leaders and the secretary of state are discussing how to move forward.
Oregon’s Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, and House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portlandfiled a petition Wednesday with the state Supreme Court, asking for a redistricting extension until the end of the year as they wait to receive 2020 census data.
However, during a news conference Wednesday Secretary of State Shemia Fagan said while she agrees about seeking clarity from the court, her office will offer another option — to move forward with the current July 1 deadline and use alternative data sets from Portland State University’s Population Research Center.