The California Citizens Redistricting Commission has approved a first round of draft maps for new U.S. Congressional, state Senate, state Assembly, and state Board of Equalization districts.
The maps are now available for public viewing, and will precede a public comment period to allow for citizen participation in the redistricting process.
The commission released the new proposed district lines on June 10. See interactive maps at wedrawthelines.ca.gov.
Most notably, the new maps would alter the 23rd Congressional District (also known by some as the “Ribbon of Shame”), held for multiple terms by Democratic U.S. Rep. Lois Capps. The new lines will look similar to what they were prior to 2001.
The district stretches along the coast of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and some portions of inland Ventura counties. Even with the new lines, however, the district is expected to remain a Democratic stronghold.
The 24th U.S. Congressional District, however, could change more drastically—at least demographically speaking—shifting from Republican-leaning to Democrat, according to reports. This could spell trouble for 13-term Republican U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly, who represents the district stretching from inland Santa Barbara County to Camarillo and Thousand Oaks.
Newly elected Republican Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian’s 33rd Assembly District—which encompasses Northern Santa Barbara County and all of San Luis Obispo County—is expected to remain more or less intact, as will the 35th Assembly District, which covers portions of Lompoc, Carpinteria, Goleta, and Santa Barbara, and will now stretch farther down into Ventura County. Democratic assemblyman for the 35th, Das Williams, is looking safe, however, as the Democratic-leaning district should remain so by a double-digit margin.
The commission—comprised of five Democrats, five Republicans, and four unaffiliated members—is intended to “restore integrity to California’s Constitutional mandate to redistrict to ensure fair representation,” according to a commission press release.
According to the commission, the new districts are drawn without regard to political incumbents and partisan considerations, reflect geographic and “common sense boundaries,” and balance the needs of different communities of interest across California.
The commission has released the new maps well ahead of the Aug. 15 deadline to allow for public comment. There will be a round of 11 public input hearings throughout June, and comments are also being welcomed via e-mail, fax, and mail.
Testimony can be submitted online to votersfirstact@crc.ca.gov; by mail to the Citizens Redistricting Commission, 901 P St., suite 154-A, Sacramento, CA, 95814; or by fax at (916) 651-5711
This article appears in Jun 16-23, 2011.