State high court declines redistricting duty

OLYMPIA - The state Supreme Court declined to redraw new legislative and congressional maps.

The decision follows an attempt by the Redistrict Commission to reapportion the state in the wake of the 2020 Census. It means that the maps previously submitted will likely be the establishing documents for new legislative and congressional districts.

If the maps are retained, Franklin and Adams counties are to be split between legislative districts.

Currently, both fall within the 9th Legislative District, represented by Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, and Reps. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, and Joe Schmick...