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Introduction toIntroduction to ReDISTRICTing ReDISTRICTing
Los Angeles County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO Presents:
Rani Woods
Manager, Redistricting Strategy & Outreach
[email protected] or 818-489-8651
REDISTRICTING 101REDISTRICTING 101
What is it? : redistricting is the process of redrawing the lines of political districts
Which districts? : congressional, state, and local levels (BOS, city council, LAUSD)
What data is used? : census data which is taken every 10 years
Who has the power? : traditionally, party operatives
Why does this process matter? : lines drawn today will remain for the next decade
And how has it changed in 2011?...
REDISTRICTING 101REDISTRICTING 101
THIS YEAR, in the State Senate and Assembly, U.S. Congress, and BOE everything has changed…
-propositions 11 and 20 have created the Citizens Redistricting Commission -the CRC is tasked with drawing 187 district maps by AUGUST 1, 2011-a geographically and ethnically diverse group of 14 working professionals-includes 5 Dems, 5 Reps, 4 DTS, with 8 men and 6 women -4 of 14 members from LA County *supermajority vote necessary -the work of CRC can be located at http://wedrawthelines.org.ca.gov
MEET THE CRCMEET THE CRC“For the first time, districts will be drawn by people who will be knowledgeable, impartial and as diverse as the state. The new lines will not be drawn to simply protect an incumbent’s ability to win reelection over and over again”
-Kathay Feng
Executive Director,
Common Cause CA
REDISTRICTING 101REDISTRICTING 101
THIS MEANS political parties are not brokering deals and incumbents are not safe
-and so, individuals have a new role to play as advocates for their local community
-to ensure your neighborhood is not divided, you and your neighbors will need to testify
-testimony can be based on community of interest dialogue or by submitting maps
-less than a handful of hearings will be held in LA so make sure to get involved now
REDISTRICTING ISREDISTRICTING IS
power and influence
1. To define our community
2. To determine how resources are allocated
3. To empower or disable ethnic or racial groups
4. To change to political make-up
5. To decide the agenda
PRINCIPLESPRINCIPLES
-equal population (one person, one vote)
-Voting Rights Act (sections 2 and 5)
-geographic boundaries (cities and counties)
-contiguity and compactness
-nesting
-removal of party bias, knowledge of
candidate’s and electeds residence, etc.
TESTIMONYTESTIMONY
Define your community of interest
Below is a checklist from redistrictingca.org
• important places, such as parks, cultural centers, or government buildings, a commercial area, schools or clubs
• census and demographic data about residents in your community• issues that bring residents together such as where to a locate a new
road or transit line, or traditions such as MLK Jr. Day March• important stakeholders who represent different parts of your
community• clarity about boundaries (use intersections and geographic markers)
GET INVOLVEDGET INVOLVED
Recruit neighbors and union friends to attend
• Wednesday, April 27: Long Beach 6-9PM• Thursday, April 28: Downtown LA 6-9PM• Friday, April 29: San Gabriel 6-9PM• Saturday, April 30: San Fernando 2-5PM• Sunday, May 1: Antelope Valley 2-5PM
TIMELINETIMELINE
Dec.-Mar. Business Meetings
April.-June. Initial Public Input Hearings
April 27-May 1 Visits Greater LA
Early June 1st Draft Map Released
June.-July Additional Public Input Hearings
Early July 2nd Draft Maps Released
Late July Final Draft Maps Released
August 1 Maps Sent to DOJ
QUESTIONS, COMMENTSQUESTIONS, COMMENTS
Contact Ms. Rani Woods
Manager, Redistricting Strategy & Outreach
2130 James M. Wood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90006
[email protected] or 818-489-8651 (cell)
