Lane County, Oregon

Precinct boarders are subject to a variety of factors. Historic placements and existing boundaries are often "grandfathered" in at the time of redistricting, which is done following the census each decade.  However, changing demographics, new legislation and shifts in more predominate political boundaries, can lead to new precinct borders.

Before precinct boundaries are decided upon, congressional, commissioner, and school district lines are solidified.  It is then the job of the County Elections official to draw precinct boarders with these districts, precinct size, and community cohesiveness in mind.  Ideally, relative homogeneity is desired in a given precinct, with as few splits and complications as possible.

Currently, precincts within Lane County are more or less restricted to 2000 registered voters, but because boundaries are redrawn only once a decade, it is impossible to maintain an exact number in all districts.

As of November 1998, all Oregon elections are to be held by mail. This conversion will certainly have a great impact on the next redistricting to be completed in 2002. Without the need for polling locations, previous restrictions on precinct size and voter numbers will change, and may no longer factor into boundary decisions.

Currently, there is legislative discussion concerning district size. It is possible that a transition from 2000 to 5000 voters per district will be made for the redrawing of precinct lines following the 2000 census. This will more than double the number of residents allowed within a district and new precinct maps will inevitably look much different.

Copyright © Department of Geography, University of Oregon 1999