To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: Marissa Montenegro 707-565-2431
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
State Redistricting Comment Letter
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize the Chair to sign comment letter to State Citizens Redistricting Commission.
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Executive Summary:
This items provides an update on the 2020 State Redistricting Commission activities and seeks Board authorization for the Chair to submit a comment letter.
Discussion:
Every 10 years, after the federal government publishes updated census information, California must redraw the boundaries of its Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly and State Board of Equalization districts, so that the districts correctly reflect the state’s population.
California voters authorized the creation of the Commission when they passed the VOTERS FIRST Act (Act) in 2008. It authorized the Commission to draw the new district lines. In 2010, the Congressional Voters FIRST Act added the responsibility of drawing Congressional districts to the Commission.
The 14-member Commission is made up of five Republicans, five Democrats, and 4 not affiliated with either of those two parties. The Commission must draw the district lines in conformity with strict, nonpartisan rules designed to create districts of relatively equal population that will provide fair representation for all Californians.
The Commission is regulated by the following state and federal laws:
• California Constitution, Article XXI
• California Government Code - Chapter 3.2 Citizens Redistricting Commission
• California Elections Code - Division 21 State and Local Reapportionment
• California Code of Regulations - Title 2. Administration - Division 10. California State Auditor's Office - Chapter 1. Redistricting
• US Constitution
• Voting Rights Act
The Commission must hold public hearings and accept public comment. After hearing from the public and drawing the maps for the Congressional districts, 40 California State Senate districts, 80 California State Assembly districts, and 4 Board of Equalization districts, the Commission must vote on the new maps to be used for the next decade.
The Commission will have one year to determine and approve the district maps. During this time period, the commissioners will be performing complex tasks that include redrawing district lines and holding public meetings.
Over the last two months, the Commission has published several visualization maps showing hypothetical district-based boundaries for geographic areas from the line drawers in response to preliminary direction from the Commission. These visualizations are created to allow the Commissioners to review potential options.
Based on the congressional visualizations published to date, impacts to Sonoma County may include the loss of one congressperson and splits at Petaluma and the coast.
On November 2, 2021, your Board directed staff to review the states process and draft a comment letter. Based on this direction, staff recommend your Board authorize the Chair to submit the attached comment letter to the Commission expressing County concerns with available visualizations.
Strategic Plan:
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Prior Board Actions:
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Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
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Attachments:
Draft Letter
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
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