Redistricting LA County
Written by Jayson Chan and Daniel Yen
LA County is divided into five supervisorial districts, each represented by an elected supervisor collectively known as the Board of Supervisors (or Board). Following the Decennial or ten-year US Census, boundary lines within the County must be redrawn to ensure the population is divided equally between the five supervisorial districts. This is called redistricting. In the past, the Board appointed 20 commissioners to advise on a redistricting plan. In the end, the Board had the final say on where to draw and adopt the final district lines. However, this year’s redistricting is different.
In 2016, former California Governor Jerry Brown approved State Senate Bill 958, which specifically requires LA County to establish a redistricting commission that is independent from the influence of the Board of Supervisors. This commission is called the Citizens Redistricting Commission (CRC), which is composed of 14 commissioners randomly selected from a pool of 60 qualified applicants. The selection process helps to ensure that the CRC is not only independent from the Board, but is representative of the County’s diversity.
The redistricting process is critical because US citizens have the privilege and right to elect their own representatives. As the County’s population grows, the Supervisorial boundaries must be adjusted to account for shifts in population and demographics to ensure that voters in each Supervisorial District have an equal voice in electing their representatives. The elected representatives are responsible for public policy and funding decisions that impact the lives of County residents, such as but not limited to, law enforcement, hospitals, public works, children and family services and public social services. Periodic redistricting can help to ensure diverse populations and communities have opportunities to have their voices heard. Additionally, it enables the public to provide input about their communities of interest.
For example, since LA Koreatown is split between four city council districts, it might be assumed that the community is strongly represented by four elected officials. However, during the 1992 LA riots, insufficient aid was given to the Korean-American community. This suggests that the community voices were thinly spread across the four districts and underrepresented.
It is our responsibility as constituents to be proactive and to voice our thoughts. This is the time to be critical of the district boundaries so that the commission can truly be aware of existing disparities within our communities due to misrepresentation. The commission will never know unless you voice your opinions to the CRC.
The CRC has held and will continue to hold scheduled hearings to receive public input to make an informed decision on redrawing the district lines. The CRC must finalize the Redistricting Plan no later than December 15, 2021. A few milestones in between are the following: continued public outreach; additional public hearings; availability of US Census Bureau data, mapping software for public use, CRC review of public input, and CRC proposed redistricting plan options. With a few months remaining until the final deadline of December 15, 2021, we highly encourage stakeholders to participate and provide input into the redistricting of LA County. If stakeholders are unable to participate in meetings, public comments are accepted on the website. Redistricting can have long term effects and ultimately impacts the future of communities. Participation from residents ensures populations across LA County all have equal opportunities for their voices to be heard. For more information, go to www.redistricting.lacounty.gov.
LEARN ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF REDISTRICTING
Daniel M. Mayeda
Commissioner (Co-Chair), Citizens Redistricting CommissionThe most important process that determines the political power of LA County is happening right now. This year, the LA County Citizens Redistricting Commission is taking public comment from communities acros s LA County to determine how supervisorial district lines will be redrawn. Join us to hear why redistricting is important!
In August, LACAAEA has invited Daniel M. Mayeda, Co-Chair of the Citizens Redistricting Commission, come speak about the 2021 LA County Redistricting Process: What Is Redistricting? What’s Different About It This Year? Why Is It Important that all Residents in LA County Get Involved in the Process?
Jayson began his County career in 2004 as a Student Worker with the Superior Courts. He furthered his career at the Department of Auditor-Controller where he specialized in conducting IT audits across numerous County departments. He is currently with the Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors under the Office of Inspector General. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, experiencing new foods, listening to music, relaxing outdoors, and learning new things
Daniel started his professional career working in the residential mortgage sector at a bank. From there, he transitioned into an accounting firm where he specialized in auditing employee benefit plans, labor organizations, and a variety of clients. After a few years, he brought his experience into the Department of Auditor-Controller. He focused on information technology audits for various departments and now works on the County's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. In his spare time, Daniel enjoys playing sports, discovering new music, and hanging out with family.
