Redistricting California

Dear Community Stakeholder:

California is undergoing a critically important process of Redistricting. The process will ultimately be driven by a powerful group of Commissioners to be chosen from a qualified pool. You can be part of the process and determine who will be the Commissioners.

The deadline for Commissioner applications - February 12, 2010 - is rapidly approaching. At this point there are very few African Americans and other minorities applying to participate in the process. This must change for communities of color to have a viable voice in the future of California politics.

Update: The deadline to apply to be a redistricting commissioner has been extended to February 16, 2010.

What is Redistricting?

Every ten years, we count every person in the United States through a process called the “Census.” This count gives us a snapshot of how many people there are and where they live.

Once we know how many people live in California, we can divide the population evenly into districts for the State Senate, Assembly, and Board of Equalization. This is called “redistricting.”

Historically, the State Legislature has drawn these district maps. In 2011, a citizens commission will be in charge.

How Will It Work?

In 2008, the voters passed Proposition 11, the Voters First Act. For the first time, a new 14-person commission called the Citizens Redistricting Commission will draw the state district maps.

The California State Auditor will help create the Citizens Redistricting Commission. From December 15, 2009 to February 16, 2010, the Auditor will accept applications from interested citizens to serve on the commission. The 14 commissioners will be selected by December 31, 2010.

Once the commission is formed, it will hold meetings around California to listen to residents describe their communities, neighborhoods and what issues are important to them. The commission will take all this input and draw district maps with an equal number of people in each district. This public hearing period runs from January 1, 2011 to September 15, 2011.

Why Should I Care?

It is important that elected representatives listen to the public’s interests in order to ensure that our votes matter. A critical step is to draw district lines that keep communities intact. The way district lines are drawn affects how politicians represent constituents’ interests. When communities are kept whole, we have a greater ability to hold politicians accountable.

What is the Process and How Do I Apply?

Contact Dannete.Wilkerson@laul.org or call 323.299.9660 ext. 244 to attend application orientations and workshops.