Anna Langthorn
(405) 482-0990
anna.langthorn [at] oklahomacounty.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  
BLUMERT COMMENTS ON DECISION TO DELEGATE COUNTY REDISTRICTING TO STATE LEGISLATURE

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, JUNE 7, 2021 – Today, the County Commissioners voted to use state legislative staff to prepare Oklahoma County district boundaries for redistricting in 2021.

“I have a lot of concerns about this decision. First, the legislature and their staff are not subject to the Open Meetings Act or the Open Records Act. County government is subject to those laws. If a county committee conducted this process, every discussion, document, and record about these boundaries would be open to the public. Moving this process to the legislature eliminates public participation. Once again, Oklahoma County residents have been stripped of their voice.

I proposed several amendments to ensure the process was respectful of county communities and dollars. When redistricting happened in 2010, the county committee ensured that each district had a similar number of unincorporated road miles and that most municipalities and school districts were whole. I asked that we maintain these goals. Most importantly, I asked that this process be transparent and open to the public. My colleagues chose to ignore these safeguards, arguing they were unnecessary and burdensome.

Oklahoma County has the staff and resources to conduct redistricting. A county committee would give the public greater access to participate in the process. Our staff is more familiar with the needs of county residents and our operations. They seem to be focused on their own convenience rather than the best interest of the public. Overall, I do not see the benefit of this policy change.” said Oklahoma County District 1 Commissioner Carrie Blumert.

For more information, contact Oklahoma County District 1 Communications Director Anna Langthorn at anna.langthorn [at] oklahomacounty.org
 

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