Citizens Redistricting Commission
Meeting Summary for July 21

Sacramento, CA (July 22, 2011) --   

The California Citizens Redistricting Commission held a business meeting yesterday with the following actitivities:

• Heard public comment from over 40 speakers.
• Received an opinion from the Commission's Chief Legal Counsel on the issue of a 14 day period of public review of maps released by the Commission as stated in the Voters First Act.  The Commission let stand its previous plan to release preliminary final district maps on July 29th and have a public review period until it votes to adopt and certify the maps on August 15th.
• Commissioners Blanco and Forbes, who have delegated authority to recommend legal counsel to the Commission for possible post final map litigation, reported on their interviews of five law firms.  The Commissioners recommended to the full Commission that both the firms of Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher and Morrison and Forrester be retained as Co-Counsels.  The Commission will hear from and question representatives from the two firms during its meetings today and Saturday.  A third law firm may still be considered by the Commission.
• Will continue to take public comment to inform the maps through July 23rd, via e-mail at votersfirstact@crc.ca.gov and by fax at 916-651-5711. Any comments received after July 23rd will no longer be able to impact the maps, as the Commission's line-drawing phase will have formally closed, but will still be reviewed and posted.
• Began a discussion it will continue in its meetings today and Saturday on the issue of State Senate district numbering and deferral issues.
• Discussed post August 15th issues such as future Commission activities, frequency of meetings and long-term staffing and will consider these issues in more detail in its meetings next week.

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