The California Citizens Redistricting Commission will continue to hold public input hearings in Southern California. The Commission hearings will take place in Norco May 5, Santa Ana May 6, Palm Springs May 12, San Marcos May 13, and San Diego May 14.
The Commission was created by California voters to draw state Congressional, Assembly, State 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 10th. Final district maps must be approved by the Commission by August 15th.
Public testimony will be limited to 2-3 minutes per speaker. If there are 60 or more members of the public wishing to speak by the start of the meeting each speaker will be limited to two minutes. If there are less than 60 speakers at that time, each speaker will have three minutes. This policy is subject to change at the Commission Chair's discretion. Speakers may not cede any of their time to another speaker. The public can obtain a number to speak one hour prior to the start of the hearing.
The public can also submit extended remarks for the record in writing at the hearings, by e-mail at [email protected], fax at 916-322-0904 or by mail to the Citizens Redistricting Commission, 1130 K Street, Suite 101, Sacramento, CA 95814.
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 [email protected], not later than five (5) business days before the noticed hearing date.
The hearing dates, times and locations:
- 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.
- Thursday, May 12, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., Palm Springs City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs.
- Friday, May 13, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., The McMahan House Great Room, 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos.
- Saturday, May 14, 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Educational Cultural Center, 4343 Oceanview Blvd., San Diego. CA. *Please note the new venue in San Diego
The public input hearings will be streamed live at www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov.