The Washington Supreme Court has unanimously authorized use of the new Redistricting Commission boundaries to run the 2012 elections, even as a citizen challenge to the commission’s work proceeds.

Secretary of State Sam Reed said he was pleased — and relieved — to get the ruling:

“This is very good news. Our 2012 elections season is barreling down on us, with Filing Week beginning May 14 and Top 2 Primary ballots going in the mail in July. The counties are working very hard to meet the deadlines for redistricting voting precincts and redrawing a number of boundaries to comply with population shifts and the work of the Commission.”

State Elections Co-Director Shane Hamlin was delighted with the court’s ruling.

“This provides us stable ground and certainty for the administration of the 2012 elections. It was very important for election officials to know which boundaries and precincts they can use. That is basic, foundational information.  The counties are definitely under the gun to get all of the boundary changes ready.”

The citizen commission, comprised of two Democrats and two Republicans and a non-voting chairwoman, spent 2011 redrawing the 49 legislative districts and 10 congressional districts, using fresh Census data. The Legislature made minor modifications and the plan went into effect on Feb. 7. John Milem, Vancouver, a longtime student of the redistricting process, filed his challenge on Feb. 8.

The Attorney General’s Office filed the urgent request to the Supreme Court shortly after Milem filed his challenge.  Chief Justice Barbara Madsen, writing Wednesday for a unanimous court, noted that Filing Week is now only two months away and that by the end of next month, counties must establish voting precincts that align with new district boundaries.

Milem and state attorneys were given until April 13 to submit an agreed finding of facts. If that agreement isn’t possible, the case will be sent down to the Thurston County Superior Court for fact-finding, with a report due back to the high court by May 29.  The date for the high court’s oral arguments will be set “in due course,” Madsen wrote.