A Key to Our Representative Democracy

Using the new census data, California is redrawing congressional, state senate, and assembly districts—right now. Los Angeles County is redrawing our supervisorial districts—right now. Your city and school districts are redrawing district lines—right now. What can you do to make certain that the communities we serve, including your community, get equal representation, as intended by the framers of the U.S. Constitution and affirmed by several Supreme Court decisions? In other words, how can we ensure the survival of one person, one vote?

The current redistricting process may present our last chance—at least for ten years, until the next census—to ensure that our service area gets the representation every resident deserves. Our national League set the tone a year ago, reminding us of the big picture. Our mission is to raise public awareness and to advocate support for achieving equitable political power statewide and locally.

The concept of “one person, one vote” has at its foundation the Fourteenth Amendment clause that guarantees former slaves equal protection under the law. All governing entities must treat everyone in the same manner as others in similar cases. In this case, the equal power of each person’s vote is in the balance.

As a League member, you have a wide circle of influence: You can engage your community at large, encouraging friends and family to participate in setting the district boundaries for the next ten years. Denying people equal power at the ballot box results in discouraging entire communities from voting. When redistricting results in gerrymandering—the drawing of electoral district lines in ways that minimize the power of groups sharing similar interests and thus effectively offsetting their voices even if they form a majority—the people in those zones vote but see no results, because their chosen candidates never get into office. Hence, their specific concerns are never addressed. Over time, such groups lose interest in the vote; apathy sets in. This entertaining video explains it visually.

Participation Made Easy

So how can you get involved?

First, don’t delay! Redistricting is happening right now. Seriously. As you are reading this!

Second, here are a few places to learn how to get involved:

• California Citizens Redistricting Commission: https://www.wedrawthelinesca.org/meetings
• Los Angeles County Citizens Redistricting Commission: https://redistricting.lacounty.gov/
• Pasadena and other local entities: https://www.commoncause.org/california/california-local-redistricting-2021-calendar/

Third, read on and jump in!

June Primary Elections

The Census Bureau committed itself to delivering local census data on September 30, 2021. Once the data have been received, the mapping of district lines will begin. Shortly thereafter, the opportunity for public input on communities of interest will end. Over the course of October, November, and early December, the public may comment on the proposed districts. Each local entity will establish its own dates for public comment and its own protocols for submitting commentary. The resulting district lines will be used to determine what districts you reside in and whom you can vote into office starting with the June 2022 Primary Elections.

Think about it. There’s a lot at stake: your representation in government at all levels—California’s fifty-two electoral college votes, our fifth supervisorial district, and our city councils. Make your voice heard.

—Martha Y. Zavala