Seattle Redistricting Commission seeks public comment on draft map of new City Council Districts

The Seattle Redistricting Commission is currently in the process of redrawing the boundaries of Seattle’s seven City Council Districts. Over the past five months, the Commission has hosted or participated in more than 50 community information sessions, a community survey, and seven public forums to gather feedback from the public about the redistricting process and its potential impact on neighborhoods. This process has resulted in the Commission adopting a draft map of new City Council District boundaries. Members of the public are invited to submit comments on the draft map and its proposed district boundaries.

“For the first time in Seattle’s history, we are engaged in redrawing the lines of the seven City Council districts,” said Greg Nickels, Seattle Redistricting Commission Chair. “My fellow commissioners and I are taking great care to listen to the public as we are doing our work. Adopting a draft map is a big step forward in that process.”

The Commission’s draft map was generated at an open public meeting of the Seattle Redistricting Commission on August 2 and was informed by the public comments submitted over the last five months. The map follows City Charter and state-mandated criteria using geographic information system (GIS) expertise and 2020 Census data to draw new boundaries and establish districts that are compact, contiguous, and approximately equal in population. The map also accounts for additional factors such as, to the extent practical, following existing district boundaries, recognizing waterways and geographic boundaries, and to the extent possible, preserving Seattle’s existing communities and neighborhoods.

Public Comment

A discussion of the final draft map will now begin and both public comment and participation are requested by the Seattle Redistricting Commission. Members of the public can review the final draft map and offer feedback at https://www.seattle.gov/redistricting/how-to-participate.

The designated public comment period is open from August 3, 2022 until the date the Commission files the final district plan, which is currently scheduled to be November 8, 2022, and shall be no later than November 15, 2022.

If you would like to obtain a physical copy of the draft map, please contact Logan Drummond at Logan.Drummond@seattle.gov. You can also find a copy at the customer service desk in Seattle City Hall, located at 600 Fourth Avenue.

Public comment can be made:

• In-person at one of three Public Forums
  • Public Forum #1: Tuesday, August 9th, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
    Physical Location: Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, Boards & Commissions Room L280
    Virtual Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84697105761
  • Public Forum #2: September – date and time TBD
  • Public Forum #3: October – date and time TBD
• In-person at any regularly scheduled Seattle Redistricting Commission meeting. Check the Seattle Redistricting Commission website for dates and times.
• In writing using the Seattle Redistricting Commission’s public comment submission form.

For more information, or to request interpretation services for any of the public forums, please contact Elsa Batres-Boni at Elsa.Batres-Boni@seattle.gov or (206) 256-6198.

For more information about the Seattle Redistricting Commission, visit http://www.seattle.gov/redistricting.