SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon lawmakers will release six proposed redistricting maps Wednesday that may affect the future balance of power in the Legislature.
The maps are redrawn every 10 years according to the most recent Census data. Politicians in Oregon have been unable to reach an agreement on drawing legislative maps since 1981, so the secretary of state has had to do it instead.
In 2001, Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber vetoed maps created by a GOP-controlled Legislature. Democratic Secretary of State Bill Bradbury drew the boundaries instead. According to some Republicans, those maps laid the groundwork for Democratic gains over the last decade.
Democrats have a narrow 16-14 majority in the Senate and the House is tied at 30-30.
