2:01pm | Residents in the greater Long Beach area will have the opportunity to have their voices heard regarding redistricting Wednesday night, when the state Citizens Redistricting Commission will hold a public hearing at Long Beach City Hall.
Every 10 years following the census, new boundaries for various electoral districts are established to ensure fair representation for all citizens. Previously, lawmakers were charged with the responsibility, but recently enacted legislation in the state of California has now placed that power in the hands of the people via the citizens commission.
The new 14-member independent committee is charged with the responsibility of drawing the new maps of 53 congressional, 80 state Assembly, 40 state Senate and four state Board of Equalization district borders.
As the commission prepares to etch out the new boundary lines for each of these electoral districts, it is seeking testimony from constituents statewide.
The public hearing will run from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 333 W. Ocean Blvd. Translation and auxiliary aids and services will be available, though anyone who will need such services should call 866-356-5217 prior to the hearing.
Those who plan to provide testimony during the hearing can access a guide with instructions and tips on how to best participate by clicking here. A Spanish version of the same guide can be accessed by clicking here. A fact sheet on providing testimony is also available and can be accessed by clicking here.
The commission is scheduled to hold a business meeting in Long Beach earlier in the day that will be streamed live online at WeDrawTheLines.ca.gov.
The first round of boundary maps is set to be released in June. The final boundary maps must be turned over to the secretary of state no later than Aug. 15.
Portions of the city of Long Beach stand to be redistricted into an Orange County jurisdiction, and two Long Beach elected officials have recently teamed to fight against this potential breaking up of Long Beach representation.
Long Beach Councilmen Robert Garcia and Gary DeLong earlier this week sent out letters via e-mail asking residents to join their effort to keep Long Beach representation in Los Angeles County.
“We are asking you to support that Long Beach representation remains in Los Angeles COunty and that pieces of Long Beach neighborhoods are not thrown into electoral districts in Orange County,” the letter reads.
Both men are asking residents to submit letters of support for this effort, which can be done visiting GaryDeLong.com/redistricting or RobertGarcia.com/redistricting.
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