Fresno-area residents up for redistricting task

E.J. Schultz
April 22, 2010

More than 80 Fresno-area residents are still in the running to serve on a commission that will redraw the state's political boundaries, a once-a-decade task that for the first time will be led by average citizens.

About 30,000 Californians initially applied for a spot on the 14-member Citizens Redistricting Commission. But only 4,894 submitted more detailed application materials that were due Monday, reported the California State Auditor, which is administering the effort. Of those, 2,390 had also turned in required letters of recommendation as of Tuesday. The auditor's office said that number is likely to grow as it continues to process letters that came in at the last minute.

Eighty-one completed applications have been received from Fresno, Tulare, Madera and Kings counties -- far fewer than the 846 residents who had originally applied. The final pool includes 44 Republicans and 27 Democrats. The rest are decline-to-state or minor party members.

The supplemental application process involved a significant time commitment, including submitting three letters of recommendation, answers to four essay questions and basic information relating to political involvement, criminal history, family information and more.

Voters created the process in 2008 by passing Prop. 11, which took the job away from lawmakers. The measure only applies to state legislative and Board of Equalization districts.

The auditor's office will identify 120 of the most qualified applicants for interviews. The pool will eventually be winnowed to five Democrats, five Republicans, and four nonpartisan or minor-party members. In 2011, the commission will use new census data to redraw the boundaries.

Critics have said the applicant pool lacks diversity. White males made up 58% of the pool of completed applications as of Tuesday. Of the 81 Fresno-area finalists, 66 are male.

Margarita Fernandez, a spokeswoman for the auditor, said the office is still confident it will end up up with a final panel that is diverse.

The reporter can be reached at eschultz@fresnobee.com or (916) 326-5541.