You’ve probably looked at a map of Oregon and thought you had it figured out. Coastal towns, the rainy valley, and the high desert out east. But when it comes to the oregon congressional district map, things got weirdly complicated a couple of years ago. We aren't just a five-district state anymore.
Since 2023, Oregon has been rocking six congressional districts. That extra seat—the 6th District—was a huge deal. It was the first time Oregon added a seat since the early 80s. This shift didn't just add a name to the roster; it completely rewired how the state is represented in Washington, D.C.
Whether you’re in Bend or Beaverton, your representative might have changed without you even noticing the signs on the side of the road. Let’s break down what this map actually looks like right now and why those squiggly lines on the paper actually matter for your daily life.
The Birth of the Sixth District
For decades, Oregon had five seats. Simple. Then the 2020 Census happened. Our population grew enough that the math finally tipped in our favor for a sixth spot. Basically, the state legislature had to go back to the drawing board in 2021 to fit a whole new "slice" into the existing pie.
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The 6th District ended up being a bit of a hybrid. It takes in the state capital, Salem, but also reaches up into the southwestern suburbs of Portland like Tigard and Tualatin. It also eats up all of Polk and Yamhill counties. It’s a mix of suburban commuters and the heart of Oregon’s wine country.
Honestly, the map-making process was a total headache for the people in charge. They had to balance "community of interest" with the strict population counts required by law. If you live in Woodburn, you’re now in the 6th, whereas your neighbors just a bit further east might still be in the 5th.
Who is representing you in 2026?
Right now, the lineup is almost entirely blue, which is a shift from just a few cycles ago. Following the 2024 elections, here is the current breakdown of the people holding these seats:
- 1st District: Suzanne Bonamici (D) continues her long run here. This district covers the coast and the high-tech corridor in Washington County.
- 2nd District: Cliff Bentz (R) is the lone Republican. He covers the massive "everything else" area of Eastern and Central Oregon.
- 3rd District: Maxine Dexter (D) is the new face in Portland and Gresham, taking over the legacy left by Earl Blumenauer.
- 4th District: Val Hoyle (D) holds the South Coast and the college towns of Eugene and Corvallis.
- 5th District: Janelle Bynum (D) flipped this seat in 2024. It’s a wild district that stretches from Portland’s edges all the way over the mountains to Bend.
- 6th District: Andrea Salinas (D) is the inaugural rep for this new territory.
Decoding the 5th District Chaos
If you want to understand why the oregon congressional district map is so controversial, look at the 5th. It’s arguably the weirdest-shaped district in the state. It starts in the Portland suburbs (Happy Valley, Lake Oswego), snakes south through the Willamette Valley, and then jumps over the Cascades to grab the city of Bend in Deschutes County.
Why does this matter? Because the people in Lake Oswego have vastly different needs than the people in Bend. One group is worried about Portland-metro traffic and urban planning; the other is dealing with high-desert water rights and explosive growth in Central Oregon.
Critics call this "gerrymandering-lite," while proponents say it’s just the only way to make the population numbers equal. Either way, it turned the 5th into a massive battleground. Janelle Bynum’s win over Lori Chavez-DeRemer in 2024 was one of the most-watched races in the country because the district is so evenly split between urban and rural vibes.
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The 2nd District: The "Land" District
Then there’s the 2nd District. If you look at the oregon congressional district map, it looks like the 2nd District is the entire state and everyone else is just huddled in the corner. Geographically, it’s massive.
Cliff Bentz has to represent everything from the Idaho border to the edges of the Medford area. It’s mostly ranching, farming, and forest land. While the other five districts are largely dominated by the I-5 corridor's politics, the 2nd is the anchor for Oregon’s conservative voice.
There is a growing tension here. People in the 2nd often feel like Salem and Portland make all the rules, and the map reflects that divide. The physical size of the district makes it nearly impossible for a representative to be "everywhere" at once. You can drive for six hours and still be in the same district. That’s a fundamentally different experience than the 3rd District, which you can cross in 20 minutes on a good traffic day.
How to Check Your Current Map
Boundaries aren't static. Even though the big redistricting happened in 2021, local precinct shifts can still happen. If you’ve moved recently or just haven't voted in a few years, your ballot might look different.
The best way to be sure is to use the Oregon Secretary of State's "My Vote" tool. You just punch in your address, and it tells you exactly who your U.S. Rep is. Don't rely on old maps from five years ago; they are basically coasters at this point.
Another good resource is the Oregon State Legislature's redistricting page. They have interactive GIS maps where you can zoom in all the way to your street corner. It’s pretty fascinating to see how a line might literally run down the middle of a neighborhood, putting one side of the street in a different district than the other.
Why you should care about the lines
The lines on the oregon congressional district map determine who gets federal funding for your roads, which schools get grants, and how your voice is heard on national issues like climate change or healthcare.
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When a district is "safe" (meaning one party wins by 20 points every time), the real election happens in the primary. But in "swing" districts like the 5th or the 6th, the general election is where the power lies. Knowing your map is the first step in knowing how much your individual vote can actually tilt the scales in D.C.
Next Steps for Oregon Voters:
- Verify your registration: Visit the Oregon Secretary of State website to ensure your address is updated.
- Locate your district: Use an interactive GIS map to see if you are in a "split" county like Marion or Clackamas.
- Research the incumbents: Check the voting records of the current representatives, especially the newer ones in the 3rd, 5th, and 6th districts.