The California Citizens Redistricting Commission will hold seven public input hearings in Los Angeles, Riverside and Orange Counties April 27-May 6.  The Commission hearings will take place in Long Beach April 27, Los Angeles April 28, San Gabriel April 29, City of San Fernando April 30, Lancaster May 1, Norco May 5, and Santa Ana May 6.

The Commission concluded its first round of hearings in Northern and Central California on April 16^th. The hearings in Redding, Marysville, San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield, Hanford and Merced attracted hundreds of people who shared their thoughts with the Commission. 

.

The Commission was created by California voters to draw state Congressional, Assembly, Senate and Board of Equalization Districts. 

The public is encouraged to present testimony about the community they live in, describing the kind of people who live there, important issues, community centers and community history. Speaking up about your community is critical to ensuring district lines are drawn to keep your community whole and grouped with nearby communities with similar interests.  This ensures that your voice is heard by your elected leaders in such decisions as to the quality of your child's school or how high your taxes are

Along with census data, publicly submitted comments will be used to assist the Commission when it begins drawing district boundaries. 

The Commission is taking testimony before drawing its first round of draft maps which will be released June 10^th.  Final district maps must be approved by the Commission by August 15^th.

Anyone wishing to speak at the meetings should note that comments are limited to 3-5 minutes (depending on the number who wish to speak).

Please visit the Commission's website at www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov for complete information on the hearings and to access a guide to help you participate in the hearing process.

All public input hearings are accessible in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Any person who wishes to request auxiliary aids or services, including translation, to participate in the hearing of the Commission, in accordance with State or Federal law, should contact Janeece Sargis at 1-866-356-5217, or e-mail votersfirstact@ca.gov, not later than five (5) business days before the noticed hearing date.

The Los Angeles, Riverside and Orange County Commission hearing dates, times and locations:

• Wednesday, April 27, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., Long Beach City Council Chambers, 333 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach.
• Thursday, April 28, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., Los Angeles City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, City Hall, Third Floor, Los Angeles.
• Friday, April 29, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, 320 Mission Drive, San Gabriel
• Saturday, April 30, 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., City of San Fernando-City Council Chambers, 117 Macneil Street, San Fernando.
• Sunday, May 1, 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., Sierra Toyota, Antelope Valley Room, 43301 12^th Street West, Lancaster.
• Thursday, May 5, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., Norco City Council Chambers, 2820 Clark Avenue, Norco.
• Friday. May 6, 2011, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., Santa Ana City Council Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana.

The public input hearings will be streamed live at www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov.

 #     #     #     #

Follow the Commission on Twitter  and on Facebook at the California Citizens Redistricting Commission.