Redistricting Scope/resources
Once every 10 years following the federal census, in a process known as redistricting, the State adjusts the boundary lines of districts for the California Senate, Assembly, Board of Equalization districts, and Congressional districts for the U.S. House of Representatives.
1. The Voters FIRST Act, approved by voters November 2008, shifted the responsibility for redrawing the political boundaries for California Senate, Assembly, and Board of Equalization districts from the State Legislature to the Commission. The Voters FIRST Act for Congress, approved by voters November 2010, added the responsibility of drawing Congressional districts to the Commission. The California State Legislature passed Assembly Bill (AB) 420 (2011) and AB 1986 (2012) further requesting the inclusion of state adult correctional inmate information into the population data used in the line drawing process.
2. The Commission must hold public meetings and accept public comment prior to, and following, the drawing of maps for California’s Congressional, State Senatorial, State Assembly, and Board of Equalization districts. Upon completion of the public meeting process, the Commission must vote on the new district maps to be used for the next decade.
3. The Commission must issue, with each of the four (4) final maps, a report that explains the basis upon which the Commission made its decisions in achieving compliance with the criteria listed in State law, and includes definitions of terms and standards used in drawing each final map. Completed district maps and the accompanying reports must be submitted to the California Secretary of State’s Office no later than August 15, 2021. Add as footnote in Word version: “Because U.S. census data delivery to states will likely be delayed due to COVID-19, the Commission’s deadlines for submitting the proposed and final maps may be extended to December 15, 2021. See California Supreme Court Case Number 522530.”