The political climate in Thurston County is going to change because of redistricting, according to Thurston County Auditor Kim Wyman. She just doesn’t know how. “One thing is certain,” she said, “it’s going to change.”
Because of redistricting, most areas of the state will experience some change. Because of the 2010 census, Washington state has gained more than 830,000 people, giving it a tenth congressional seat. On a county basis, Thurston County added significant population, most of it centered in and around Lacey. All of that will mean changes in the political landscape.
When the dust has settled, and the Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Committee has finished work, Wyman expects Thurston County to be wholly in one congressional district. Currently Thurston County is partly in the Third and partly in the Ninth congressional district. The county auditor thinks the county will be completely in one congressional district – – either the new Tenth District, or encompassed within the Sixth Congressional District.
On the state level, Thurston County is currently composed of four different legislative districts – – the 2nd, the 20th, the 22nd and 35th. Wyman said, if she had to guess, she would think that the 22nd district would become smaller and that the 2nd district would be completely out of Thurston County.
“It’s all speculation,” she said.
The county commission districts will also change. Complete county census data will be available for Thurston County in March, but Wyman thinks that the districts will have to juggle lines. “Our office will make recommendations to the county commissioners, but they have the final say,” she said.
