31,000 Californians apply for redistricting panel

Santa Maria Times
February 17, 2010

Nearly 31,000 Californians have applied to sit on a voter-established panel that will redraw state legislative districts.

State Auditor Elaine Howle said Wednesday there was a surge of applications over the last few days for the Citizens Redistricting Commission. The application period closed at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Under a ballot initiative approved by voters in 2008, a 14-member citizens panel will be responsible for redrawing the boundaries for the 40 state Senate seats and 80 Assembly seats.

Supporters say it would make the districts more evenly balanced between Democrats, Republicans and independents. They hope that will help candidates who are less partisan and more moderate.