Every ten years, a census of the nation’s population is conducted.  Following the census, congressional, legislative, and county legislative (commissioner) boundaries are changed to ensure that each district has a fair distribution of political representation.

Who is responsible? There are 3 different groups whom share redistricting responsibilities: the State Redistricting Commission, local jurisdictions, and county legislative authorities.  The State Redistricting Commission is charged with redrawing congressional and state legislative district boundaries. 

County commissioners are responsible for adjusting  the county’s legislative district boundaries: County Commissioner Districts, Port of Olympia Districts, Public Utilities Districts and precinct boundaries.  The Public Utilities District has the authority to set their own district boundaries, but have agreed to use the county’s legislative district boundaries.  Once jurisdictions have redrawn internal boundaries, voting precincts are adjusted.  The Thurston County Auditor’s Office will be assisting the Board of County Commissioners with the re-drawing of these boundaries.

Since receiving the census data in March 2011, county commissioners have met to discuss the redistricting plan.  Thurston County Commissioners will re-draw the legislative boundaries for the districts to balance the population in each district using the target population of 84,088.  County Commissioners, Port of Olympia Commissioners, and Public Utility District Commissioners have had work sessions to discuss the plan for adjusting commissioner district boundaries in Thurston County.  The outcome of these work sessions are four samples of proposed changes to legislative district boundaries.

Commissioner boundaries must be adopted by the Board of County Commissioners by December 7, 2011.

Four sample drawings have been prepared and available to view as layers through Google Earth®. These maps are a high resolution and depending on your internet connection, you may experience prolonged download times.

These maps may be viewed as a PDF or with Google Earth®.

To view in Google Earth:

• Click here to download Google Earth®
• Download the Google Earth® map layer and save to your computer
• Double click on the layer file

The Board of County Commissioners will be holding a public information meeting and public hearing to give the public the opportunity to give feedback.

The dates and times for the Public Informational Meeting, the Public Hearing, and the Board of County Commissioners' Action Meeting are listed below.