SEATTLE (AP) — The chair of Washington state’s redistricting commission has resigned, lashing out at Democratic leaders for refusing to defend the commission-drawn legislative maps from a legal challenge. The Seattle Times reports Sarah Augustine announced her resignation Monday after the panel’s two Democratic commissioners voted against intervening in a federal lawsuit alleging the maps violate the federal Voting Rights Act. The lawsuit contends the final commission legislative map illegally dilutes the power of Latino voters in Central Washington. The lawsuit named three Democratic state officials as defendants: Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, state House Speaker Laurie Jinkins and state Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig. The commission says all have refused to defend the maps.
Washington state redistricting commission chair resigns
