First Eight Commission Members Randomly Selected by the California State Auditor

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 18, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the California State Auditor, Elaine M. Howle, held a landmark public drawing to select the names of the first eight commissioners to serve on California's first Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission). As required by the Voters FIRST Act, the State Auditor randomly selected three applicants from a sub pool of registered Democrats, three applicants from a sub pool of registered Republicans, and two from a sub pool of applicants who are either Decline-to-State or belong to another party.

The Commissioners were part of the 36 eligible applicants that remained in the sub-pools after the legislative leaders, as required by law, exercised their strikes and eliminated the names of 24 applicants from the pool of 60 of the most qualified applicants identified on September 23, 2010 by the Auditor's Applicant Review Panel (Panel). The Panel reviewed and evaluated the applicants based on criteria set forth by the Voters FIRST Act approved by voters in November 2008; including relevant analytical skills, the ability to be impartial; and a demonstrated appreciation for California's diverse demographics and geography.  

"I am very proud of the thorough and transparent work we conducted to establish the first Citizens Redistricting Commission," said Elaine M. Howle, California State Auditor.  "I am confident the Commissioners selected today will be able to work together to select the remaining six applicants to create a Commission that is representative of our great State and can accomplish the important task of drawing the State and Congressional district lines."

The applicants selected are:

Cynthia Dai, Democrat, San Francisco County

Elaine Kuo, Democrat, Santa Clara County

Jeanne Raya, Democrat, Los Angeles County

Vincent Barabba, Republican, Santa Cruz County

Jodie Filkins Webber, Republican, Riverside County

Peter Yao, Republican, Los Angeles County

Stanley Forbes, Decline-to-State, Yolo County,

Connie Galambos Malloy, Decline-to-State, Alameda County

The eight Commissioners are tasked with selecting the remaining six commissioners of the 14 member commission. They must select two applicants from each of the sub pools. Prior to making those additional selections of the final six members of the commission, the first eight members chosen will be provided training by the bureau on California's diverse demographics and geography; the responsibilities of the Commission as set forth in the Voters FIRST Act; and the process for performing redistricting, including the use of computer software to draw district lines.

In total, the commission will include five Republicans, five Democrats and four members that are registered as Decline-to-State or with another party. The 14-member Commission will redraw the lines for California's State Senate, Assembly and State Board of Equalization districts as well as the Congressional districts, based on information gathered during the 2010 census.  The Commission must draw the districts in conformity with strict, nonpartisan rules that will provide representation for all Californians.

Both the video and transcripts of all meetings – including this public drawing– are available at http://www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov/application.html.  

For more information please visit www.WeDrawTheLines.ca.gov.

SOURCE California State Auditor's Office