Yesterday, WA State Democrats pre-filed House Joint Resolution (HJR) 4209, a proposed constitutional amendment to enable mid-decade redistricting and redraw of congressional maps. The move aligns with a broader national wave of such efforts ahead of the 2026 midterms.
HJR 4209 would allow the legislature to redraw congressional districts between decennial censuses, departing from Washington’s current practice of redistricting only after the federal census via a bipartisan commission.
Key Details on HJR 4209
Sponsors: Democtrat House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon and State Rep. Sharlett Mena
Proposal: It would permit adjustments via simple majority vote in each chamber if another state conducts non-court-ordered mid-decade redistricting.
Current Rules: Washington uses a bipartisan independent Redistricting Commission to produce post-census maps (established in 1983).
Challenges: Mid-decade changes are generally prohibited, except via supermajority to reconvene the commission.
Status: As a constitutional amendment, it requires two-thirds approval in both legislative chambers, followed by voter ratification.
WA State currently has 10 congressional districts (8 Democratic, 2 Republican). Any new map would not take effect until after voter approval, likely after the 2026 midterms.
The WA State Democrat push follows Democrat-Controlled California’s Proposition 50 in Nov 2025 (pending several lawsuits). Democrat governors in Illinois, New York, and Maryland (and a RINO Governor in Utah) have also threatened to redraw new maps to limit Republican gains. However, already very gerrymandered districts provide little room for Dem improvement.
Also, legal, constitutional, and legislative barriers in some states limit their ability to act swiftly. Historically, mid-decade redistricting has drawn scrutiny from the public and political parties for allegedly undermining voter representation.
In order for the WA State Democrats’ constitutional amendment to pass, a two-thirds majority in each chamber must vote for HJR 4209. Democrats hold strong majorities in the House and Senate, but are just a few seats shy of a two-thirds majority in both, meaning HJR 4209 would require a few Republican votes as well.
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