UPDATE: Video recording of the program has been added below. Also, links to the speakers' slide presentations have been inserted in the program below. Thanks to Davis Media Access for making the video available.

As California prepares to redraw district lines for future elections, the State is looking for citizens to apply to join the independent redistricting commission. Voters approved the creation of this commission more than 10 years ago, shifting power away from legislators. 

The program features these speakers and topics:  

• Public Policy Institute of California Research Fellow Eric McGhee will describe how the 2010 cycle of Citizens Redistricting affected elections. [See link to slide presentation.]
• Nicholas Heidorn, Director of Redistricting for Common Cause California, will discuss voter suppression in gerrymandered districts and efforts under way to extend citizens redistricting to districts for county supervisors. [See link to slide presentation.]
• Margarita Fernandez, Chief of Public Affairs for the California Auditor’s Office, will explain her office’s responsibility to conduct outreach to ensure the widest possible applicant pool and facilitate the formation of a 14-member redistricting commission. [See link to slide presentation.]
• Chair of the 2010 Citizens Redistricting Commission and Yolo County resident Stan Forbes will speak to the importance of applying to serve on the Commission.

The forum is co-sponsored by California Forward.  Yolo County Supervisor Don Saylor and Davis City Councilmember Lucas Frerichs will facilitate the program.  There will be an opportunity for audience members to ask questions. 

Every 10 years, after the federal census, California must redraw the boundaries of its Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly and State Board of Equalization districts to reflect the new population data. In 2008, California voters passed the Voters FIRST Act, authorizing the creation of an independent Commission to draw the lines. The commission’s We Draw the Lines website (https://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/) documents the successful 2010 effort. 

The commission's task of redrawing these districts will be completed in August 2021, and the new districts will be reflected in elections in 2022. 

To be eligible to serve on the Commission, individuals must have been registered with the same political party (or declined-to-state) since July 1, 2015, and have voted in at least two of the last three elections. 

The initial 60-day online application period for the 2020 Commission will launch on June 10 and remain open until August 9, 2019, with the full selection process culminating in the Commission being established no later than August 15, 2020.  A fact sheet and answers to the top ten questions regarding the Citizens Redistricting Commission are available on the California State Auditor’s website at http://www.auditor.ca.gov/bsa/crc.

ABOUT THE SPONSORS 

Saving California Communities is a group of Yolo community members who join forces to advocate for effective state and local governance, and host public forums on topics of community interest.  For more information, visit www.SavingCA.org or e-mail info@SavingCA.org.

California Forward is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization devoted to improving the performance of government in California. California Forward believes that increased emphasis on accountability and transparency will create government that Californians deserve and expect. The organization strongly advocates for confidence and trust in elected officials as being an essential ingredient to good government.  For more information, visit www.CAFwd.org.

Media contact: Susan Lovenburg, info@savingca.org or 530.304.6360

 (Click on image to enlarge.) 

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