VIDEO: 2021 Local Redistricting Workshop for California Cities & Counties

This is a recording of a local redistricting workshop and hosted by California Common Cause on January 28, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTEOhq4nzfE&list=PLR3tkoUMOQA0jUtxZklPWUULtsZ97iwi4&index=2&t=3005s 2021 Local Redistricting Workshop for California Cities & Counties. (CA Common Cause) Redistricting basics (Kathay Feng from Common Cause)- Public Engagement and New Legal Requirements (Nicolas Heidorn from the California Senate Elections Committee, Jonathan Mehta Stein from California Common Cause, and Randi John from City of Temecula)- Mapping Software and Technology (Karin MacDonald from the California Statewide Database, moderated by Lori Shellenberger)- Voting Rights Act and Redistricting Criteria (Justin Levitt from Loyola Law School and Angelo Ancheta, former California Citizens…
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California Redistricting Commission Gets Confirmation it Can Use Early Census “Legacy Format” Data

California Redistricting Commission Gets Confirmation it Can Use Early Census “Legacy Format” Data

In a letter to the state's independent redistricting commission, Karin Mac Donald, the director of the California Statewide Database program, (SWDB) confirmed that the SWDB has the technical capabilities to process the legacy format files that the U.S. Census Bureau plans to release ahead of the final redistricting data files scheduled to be released by Sept 30. According to the Census Bureau, the data contained in the legacy file and the final file will be identical. Earlier this month, the bureau indicated that despite the six-month delay in delivering redistricting data to the states, it would be possible to release…
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Pomona, CA Seeks Residents to Serve on its Independent Redistricting Commission

Pomona, CA Seeks Residents to Serve on its Independent Redistricting Commission

Pomona, California is seeking 7 residents to serve as commissioners on an independent redistricting panel. Review the requirements here. Pomona City Council Seeks Pomona Residents Interested in Serving on the:Independent Redistricting CommissionPOMONA, CA (March 22, 2021) – If you have a strong interest in the community andyou have the ability to give generously of your time, why not apply to serve on theIndependent Redistricting Commission. Commissioners have an opportunity to makea difference in the community by providing recommendations to the City Council.Commissioners serve on a volunteer basis and are appointed by the City Council.Anyone who is a resident of Pomona…
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2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission Expands Public Input Tool to Chinese and Tagalog

2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission Expands Public Input Tool to Chinese and Tagalog

PRESS RELEASE: March 11, 2021 SACRAMENTO, CA—Today, the 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission) and the California Statewide Database announced the availability of the online Communities of Interest (COI) mapping tool in Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Tagalog, in addition to English and Spanish. 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 state’s population is evenly allocated among the new districts. When the Commission creates new districts, it must follow certain guidelines, one of which is…
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2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission Makes Historic Hire with First Latino Executive Director

2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission Makes Historic Hire with First Latino Executive Director

Press Release: SACRAMENTO, CA (Feb. 25, 2021) —Today, the 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission) confirmed Interim Executive Director Álvaro E. Hernández as its permanent Executive Director. Mr. Hernandez becomes the first Latino to serve in this post in a state where 40% of the population is Latino. The announcement was made upon reconvening from a closed session. “The Commission is thrilled to announce the hiring of Álvaro E. Hernández as its permanent Executive Director,” stated Chair Pedro Toledo. “Mr. Hernández’ promotion recognizes the Commission’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Mr. Hernández created the comprehensive outreach plan immediately upon…
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California Redistricting Commission Launches Communities of Interest Tool

California Redistricting Commission Launches Communities of Interest Tool

PRESS RELEASE 2020 California Citizens Redistricting CommissionLaunches Communities of Interest Tool SACRAMENTO, CA—Today, the 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission) and the California Statewide Database announced the launch of the Communities of Interest (COI) input tool, designed to make it easier for Californians to participate in the redistricting process. 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 state’s population is evenly allocated among the new districts. When the Commission creates new districts, it must follow certain…
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February Redistricting Update

February Redistricting Update

A recap of developments in redistricting for the last month. If you weren't paying attention, you likely missed a lot of activity in the redistricting realm this February. The biggest news is the first two redistricting lawsuits have been filed in courts even before any line-drawing has begun. Read on for this and other developments from the Census Bureau, California's redistricting commission, and congress. Litigation States have made the preparations to begin the redistricting process but there is no census data available yet to start the task. At least two states are not taking this laying down and have filed…
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California Redistricting Commission Parts with Executive Director

California Redistricting Commission Parts with Executive Director

In a Feb. 18 press release, the Commission advised that it had accepted Executive Director Daniel Claypool's, resignation after a closed meeting on the 16th. No further details were given on the reason for Claypool's departure, but the portion of the meeting on the 16th that was publicly aired included a rather lengthy and robust discussion about the commission's outreach budget. You can view the meeting below. The discussion begins at 3:42. https://youtu.be/4qAAb9NW6sk Here is the relevant text of the press release: 2020 California Citizens Redistricting CommissionAccepts Resignation of Executive Director SACRAMENTO, CA—Today, the 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission)…
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CA Redistricting Commission Reviewing Applications for Litigation Team and Voting Rights Counsel

CA Redistricting Commission Reviewing Applications for Litigation Team and Voting Rights Counsel

The voting rights act counsel would provide legal support to the Commission, staff and consultants regarding the redistricting process, including the review of proposed district maps; development, use and analysis of Racially Polarized Voting (“RPV”) data, preparation of legal memoranda and general legal advice to the Commission. The commission is also seeking a litigation team in the event that any or all of its redistricting maps (Congressional, and State Senate, Assembly, and Board of Equalization) are challenged in state or federal court. To that end, the commission is seeking is seeking “statements of qualifications” (SOQ) from attorneys, including law firms…
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