5,000 Applications Submitted for the Citizens Redistricting Commission

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the California State Auditor announced that 5,000 applications have been submitted for a seat on the Citizens Redistricting Commission to draw the new state Senate, Assembly, and Board of Equalization district lines; however, many communities across California are still underrepresented and are encouraged to apply by the application close on Feb. 12.

Every 10 years after the census, California goes through the process of redrawing the political districts from which representatives of the State Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization are elected, but Proposition 11--the Voters FIRST Act, which voters passed last year--transferred the responsibility from the Legislature to a new 14-member independent commission made up of citizens from throughout California.

"While we are thrilled about the number of applications submitted since the opening of the application period on Dec. 15, 2009, we're anxious to see diversity in the applicant pool that is reflective of the diversity in our great state," said California State Auditor Elaine M. Howle. "In order to do the best job we can of drawing new lines, we need California's talented and diverse citizens to apply by Feb. 12."

The California State Auditor is tracking applicant demographic data on a daily basis by gender, ethnicity, political party, region and county and, to date, Latinos, African Americans, Asian Pacific Islanders, women and rural communities are underrepresented as is Southern California when compared against voter data. Updated Citizens Redistricting Commission application data is available to the public at https://application.wedrawthelines.ca.gov/statistics.

After the application period closes on Feb. 12, the State Auditor will assess the applicants and create a pool of 60 of the most qualified. The 14 commissioners, comprised of five Democrats, five Republicans and four members of other parties or who have no political party affiliation, will be selected from this group. Applications are only available on line at www.WeDrawtheLines.ca.gov. The application process closes Feb. 12, 2010.

The application process is open to every registered California voter who will have been continuously registered in California with the same political party, or with no political party, for the five years immediately prior to being appointed to the Commission; and who has voted in at least two of the last three statewide general elections.

For more information, membership requirements and to apply to the Commission, please visit www.WeDrawTheLines.ca.gov, or if you have questions, please call (866) 356-5217. You can also follow We Draw the Lines on Twitter at @WeDrawTheLines and tag related tweets with #WeDrawTheLines.

SOURCE California State Auditor's Office

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