Reminder: Seattle Redistricting Info Session for Pioneer Square
The Alliance for Pioneer Square will host the Seattle Redistricting Commission on Thursday, April 21 from 10:00-10:45 AM to learn more about this year's City of Seattle redistricting process. The session will be held via Zoom.

Background

This year, Seattle will be adjusting the boundary lines of the seven Seattle City Council Districts to ensure that each district represents a similar population. Pioneer Square is currently divided into Council District 2, represented by Tammy Morales (Southeast Seattle, including portions of Chinatown-ID, Rainier Valley, and SODO) and Council District 7, represented by Andrew Lewis (Downtown, Queen Anne, Magnolia).

What’s Happening Now

The Seattle Redistricting Commission has begun the process of examining how to redraw the boundaries of Seattle's seven City Council Districts. To date, the Commission has proposed four draft maps as starting points for discussion. These maps can be viewed here.
Pictured above: One of four proposed draft maps created by the Seattle Redistricting Commission placing Pioneer Square within three different City Council Districts (D1, D2, D7). Note, this map does not reflect feedback from Pioneer Square residents, business owners, or property owners.
Potential Impacts

The proposed four draft maps provided by the Seattle Redistricting Commission either divide Pioneer Square into three different City Council districts or remove Pioneer Square entirely from being represented alongside adjacent, high density districts such as Downtown, Belltown, and Uptown, facing similar urban challenges.

Why It Matters

The Pioneer Square community should care about two elements of the redistricting process: a unified urban district and alignment with similar districts. Pioneer Square should be placed within the fewest number of council districts to ensure councilmember attention. The neighborhood should also be included in a council district with similar high density, urban areas that face similar issues. Pioneer Square Square faces a challenging short and midterm future as the neighborhood recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic's economic impact which demand sensible representation on the Seattle City Council.
How to Engage

The Pioneer Square community can do three things to participate in the redistricting process:

  1. Attend a redistricting information session. The Alliance will facilitate an information session hosted by the Department of Neighborhoods on Thursday, April 21 from 10:00-10:45 AM. The session can be accessed via this Zoom link. 
  2. Provide written feedback. To give direct written feedback on the proposed draft maps, submit public comment here. For assistance with public comment, review the Redistricting Commission's public comment guide here.
  3. Stay informed. Get updates on the Redistricting Commission and find out future ways you can get involved via their newsletter. Sign up here.

Sincerely,

ALLIANCE FOR PIONEER SQUARE