What is local redistricting?
Local redistricting involves any county, city, school district, community college district, or special district that is divided into districts or divisions. These local governments are required to review their current district boundaries and redistrict based on new population figures from the census. Following the creation of the California Citizens Commission in 2010 at the State level, the Legislature passed legislation that defined a prescriptive process closely mirroring the State process to be applied in local jurisdictions. The first application of changed process at the local level will be implemented in 2021 based upon the 2020 census. Rules vary for each jurisdiction – whether city, county, school board, community College or special district. Baseline rules for the process are set by state law and some local governments adopt their rules over and above those prescribed by statute.
Learn about Redistricting Rules/Criteria here.
The League of Women Voters’ goal is to ensure that districts are drawn in a way that will keep communities whole. Keeping communities in a single political district increases the ability of communities to influence or even determine who gets elected to represent that district. This also makes it more likely that representatives will listen to the community and be responsive to its needs.
Common Cause “LOCAL REDISTRICTING CHECKLIST” for city and county governments of California
Common Cause: Resources for the 2021 Local Redistricting Process in California
