On May 5, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors (BOS) took a historic step toward making redistricting more equitable and accountable. Four out of five Supervisors supported amending the County Charter to establish an Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC).

On May 19, they officially moved to introduce an ordinance to place the amendment on the November ballot. The BOS will likely approve that ordinance at their June 9 meeting.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, wrote in, and made your voice heard!

This step to amend the charter would not have been possible without the League's representation on the San Mateo County Charter Review Committee. Kathy Wheeler, a member of the League of North & Central San Mateo County, led a subcommittee that was formed to study this issue. Many thanks to Kathy and the members of this subcommittee for their tireless efforts in presenting a well-researched case for an IRC to the BOS!

The decision this month is what it looks like when elected leaders choose accountability over the status quo and stand firmly on the side of their communities. An independent commission means the next redistricting process belongs to the public, not to the officials whose seats depend on the outcome. That is how democracy is supposed to work.

Why This Matters
Every ten years, district lines are redrawn based on census data, shaping representation and local decision-making. An Independent Redistricting Commission would help ensure this process is fair, transparent, and free from political conflicts of interest.