Supreme Court Allows Dispute Over Washington Legislative District to Continue

Decision likely means state election will proceed on schedule later this year.

Footage from a Capitol Police security camera that was redirected from the bomb squad response at the Democratic National Committee, in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021.

The Supreme Court issued two orders that may allow the borders of a disputed state legislative district in Washington state to be finalized before elections later this year.

The political territory in dispute is Legislative District 15 in the central part of Washington. The district is currently represented by state Sen. Nikki Torres, state Rep. Bruce Chandler, and state Rep. Bryan Sandlin, all Republicans. A state redistricting commission redrew the electoral map, but the lower courts struck it down for violating the federal Voting Rights Act (VRA).