The citizens commission established by voters to create an independent process for drawing California's legislative and congressional districts has delivered on its first set of maps, voting to adopt new boundaries that appear to increase the reach of majority Democrats.
The 14-member California Citizens Redistricting Commission voted Friday on final draft versions of district maps for Congress, the state Legislature and the state Board of Equalization, which administers sales and use taxes.
The California Republican Party has said the commission's decisions were not transparent enough and will consider a lawsuit or a ballot referendum.
At least nine commissioners had to support the new boundaries, including at least three each from Democrats, Republicans and independents. Final certification is due by Aug. 15, allowing time for technical fixes.
The group is tasked with drawing new lines for the 80 members of the state assembly, 40 state senators and 53 members of the House of Representatives. The new boundaries are based in part of the results of the 2010 Census.
The 14-member commission is made up of five Republicans, five Democrats, and four not affiliated with either of those two parties but registered with another party or as decline-to-state. Members are charged with drawing the district lines in conformity with strict, nonpartisan rules designed to create districts of relatively equal population that will provide fair representation for all Californians.
The group must hold public hearings and accept public comment. After hearing from the public and drawing the maps, including for the four Board of Equalization districts, the Commission must vote on the new maps to be used for the next decade.
To approve the new boundaries, the maps must receive at least nine “yes” votes and must include three “yes” votes from members registered with the two largest parties, and three “yes” votes from the other members.
The commission is scheduled to vote on the final maps on Friday. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and can be viewed live online at the commission's website.
The group was created when California voters approved Proposition 11, called the Voters FIRST Act, in November 2008. The commission's goal is to reform to make the redistricting process open so it cannot be controlled by the party in power.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
