Auditor Releases Proposed Regulations for the Citizens Redistricting Commission

 

PR Newswire

August 4, 2009

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Last Friday, Elaine Howle, the California State Auditor, published proposed regulations that will define the application process for the Citizens Redistricting Commission created by Proposition 11.

Proposition 11, the Voters FIRST Act, changed the process by which the State Assembly, Senate, and Board of Equalization districts are drawn. The Voters FIRST Act essentially transfers the responsibility to draw the lines from the Legislature to a new 14 member commission made up citizens from throughout California. The State Auditor is charged with establishing a process for individuals to apply to become members of the Commission and with selecting a panel to assess the applicants and create an applicant pool of 60 of the most qualified applicants. The 14 commissioners are selected from that pool. Issuing regulations is the first step in the process. Applications will be available on December 15, 2009. The application process will close February 15, 2010.

"The issuing of these proposed regulations begins an exciting process which will, for the first time, allow qualified voters from throughout California to draw the lines for their elected state representatives. As the process unfolds, I will be inviting and encouraging citizens throughout the state to participate in this process," said Elaine M. Howle, California State Auditor. "As we move forward, you will hear more about how and when to apply. Right now you can get up-to-date information on the State Auditor website at www.bsa.ca.gov/redistricting."

For a 45-day period, which runs from July 31, 2009, through September 14, 2009, the public is invited to review the proposed regulations and provide written comments relevant to the proposed regulations. During the next six months, the auditor has plans for additional public and press activities, citizen outreach, a separate redistricting website, and many other programs aimed at interesting as many qualified applicants as possible.

"Becoming a member of the first California Redistricting Commission should be an exciting prospect for many Californians." said Howle.

A public hearing on the regulations has been scheduled for Monday, September 14, 2009 beginning at 10 a.m. The location will be announced at a later date