OLYMPIA – An amendment to the Washington State Constitution was prefiled on Tuesday that, if passed during the upcoming legislative session, would allow mid-cycle redistricting of the state’s congressional map — when another state does so first.
Sponsored by House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon (D-West Seattle), HJR 4209 would amend Article II, section 43 of the state Constitution, which concerns redistricting. Currently, both congressional and legislative districts undergo a redistricting process every ten years, following the decennial census. HJR 4209 maintains most of Article II, section 43, but adds a new section that says if another state redistricts their congressional districts prior to the next decennial census, the legislature can amend Washington’s congressional districts by a majority vote of the legislature.
“Washington state is not going to just sit by while Donald Trump and his allies in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio seek to rig the US House to lock in a Republican majority,” Fitzgibbon said. “Democracy is on the line, and Washingtonians deserve a voice in whether or not Trump gets a hand-picked Congress.”
Rep. Sharlett Mena (D-Tacoma), who chairs the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee and is co-sponsoring the measure said, “Voters deserve free and fair elections and an equal voice in Congress. Early partisan redistricting in other states stacks the deck nationally, diluting Washington’s representation before our voters ever weigh in. This legislation defends an independent process and ensures power remains with the people—not partisan mapmakers.”
The proposal is expected to receive a hearing in Mena’s committee. In order to pass, it requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers of the legislature. It would then be placed on the ballot for a vote of the people.
The 2026 legislative session convenes on Monday, January 12, for a 60-day regular session.
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