Redistricting panel needs more O.C. residents

Orange County voters - particularly women, Latinos and Asians - are underrepresented among applicants for the state redistricting commission, and are being encouraged to apply by Feb. 12.

The 2010 census is expected to lead to more competitive, less partisan districts for state legislators because the post-census job of redrawing district lines has been taken from the Legislature and given to an independent panel.

So far, about 5,000 applications have been received from voters throughout the state - but just 166 eligible men and 40 eligible women from Orange County are among applicants. Statewide, 458 eligible Latinos and 161 eligible Asians have applied. Click here for a more detailed demographic breakdown of applicants.

The application deadline is Feb. 12. Click here for information on applying and other details of the process.

The commission will have 14 members, with five Democrats, five Republicans and four members of other parties or who have no political party affiliation.

“The application process is open to every registered California voter who will have been continuously registered in California with the same political party, or with no political party, for the five years immediately prior to being appointed to the commission; and who has voted in at least two of the last three statewide general elections,” according to the press release sent out by the state.

Voters approved establishing the independent commission last year. Advocates of the commission argued that allowing the Legislature to draw the lines resulted in gerrymandered districts that were safe for one party or the other - and contributed to gridlock in Sacramento.

Meanwhile, another group hoping to ease gridlock in the capitol hope to put a measure on the ballot calling for a constitutional convention, which would allow everyday citizens to reform governmental structure. Click here for more on that.