Washington's 15th legislative district is one of forty-nine districts in Washington state for representation in the state legislature. It includes portions of Adams, Benton, Franklin, Grant, and Yakima counties.[1]
This semi-rural district is represented by state senator Nikki Torres and state representatives Bruce Chandler (position 1) and Bryan Sandlin (position 2), all Republicans.
The Washington State Redistricting Commission reorganized the district in 2021 to include a 51.5 percent Latino majority, which was determined to be in violation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by a U.S. District court judge. The 2023 ruling required the state commission to redraw the district in time for the 2024 legislative session.[2] A revised map was approved by U.S. District judge Robert S. Lasnik in March 2024; it shifted the 15th district to cover the northern half of Yakima County and the 14th district for the rest of the county, where a Latino-heavy population resides. The new map included changes to 13 districts.[3]
- ^ Cornfield, Jerry (July 14, 2023). "Federal judge to decide if Yakima Valley legislative district is redrawn". Washington State Standard. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
- ^ Beekman, Daniel (August 11, 2023). "WA must redraw Yakima Valley legislative map judge says is discriminatory". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
- ^ Beekman, Daniel (March 16, 2024). "Judge redraws WA's legislative map after lawsuit over Latino voters". The Seattle Times. Retrieved October 24, 2024.