Redistricting panel - requires diversity

Maricela Morales and Dave Rodriguez
Ventura County Star
November 30, 2010

The Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) urge the first eight members of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission to ensure fair representation on the commission by selecting a fair number of Latinos among the final six members.

A redistricting commission that reflects California’s race and ethnic diversity is necessary to achieve the purpose of the commission, which is to draw legislative districts that fairly represent the people of California.

LULAC, founded in 1929, is the oldest and most widely respected Hispanic civil rights organization in the United States. LULAC was created at a time in our country’s history when Hispanics were denied basic civil and human rights, despite contributions to American society.

The founders of LULAC created an organization that empowers its members to create and develop opportunities where they are needed most. Our mission is to advance the educational attainment, economic condition, health, civil rights and political empowerment of the Hispanic population of the United States through community-based programs operating in more than 700 membership chapters throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

For the past year, CAUSE has worked in partnership with diverse statewide partners such as the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Greenlining Institute and the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund to support the selection of a Redistricting Commission that reflects the diversity of the state.

The regulations of the Voters First Act that created the commission make explicit the link between diversity and political representation, particularly that of under-represented race/ethnic groups.

The commission is required by the federal Voting Rights Act to “protect against redistricting techniques that are used to limit minority communities’ ability to achieve fair representation” (Brennan Center for Justice). Fair redistricting by the commission begins with fair representation on the commission of the state’s diverse race and ethnic groups.

The year-long process to select the 14-member commission began with more than 30,000 initial applicants statewide.

More than 4,500 applicants completed an extensive supplemental application requiring multiple essays, information about every immediate family member (including in-laws), significant personal financial information, three letters of recommendation and were subject to individual public comments. Every applicant’s application information was made public and posted online.

There were then 120 selected for a 90-minute in-person and live webcast interview by a four-member panel, including legal counsel. The final, most qualified 60 applicants were subject to review by the California legislative leadership resulting in the elimination of 24 applicants.

There remained 36 applicants from which the 14 commission members are to be selected. The 36 most qualified applicants represent a mere .0012 percent of the initial 30,000 applicants.

On Nov. 18, the first eight commission members were randomly drawn and include 50 percent Asian, 25 percent white, 12.5 percent black and 12.5 percent Latino.

From 2000-2008, Ventura County has seen a 5 percent increase in total population, while the Latino population has increased by 18 percent.

The Census 2009 estimated Latino population of California and Ventura County is 37 percent and 38.5 percent respectively. At this time, Latinos are under-represented to such an extent as to constitute exclusion and as such jeopardizes the success of the commission before it even begins.

Today, the first eight members will select the final six members of the commission. Of the remaining 28 most qualified finalists, 32 percent are Latino. Clearly, Latinos remain in the “maybe” section.

Equitable representation in the “maybe” section does not constitute fair representation. Fair representation of California and Ventura County Latinos must exist in the final 14-member commission.

Today, the first eight commission members have as their first critical decision to create a commission that reflects race and ethnic diversity. Their decision has the power to set the course toward fair redistricting to make fair political representation possible for the people of California.

The final six members selected to the Redistricting Commission must be inclusive of Latinos to such an extent that the 14-member commission fairly represents the Latino people of Ventura County and the state.