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Stay Informed with Empower's Local Redistricting Public Education Campaign

EMPOWER is working to ensure increased participation in the upcoming San Diego Redisitrcting process, educate San Diegans about its local implications, and ensure that genuinely representative districts are drawn.

Step 1:

Apply for the San Diego Redistricting Commission!

Citizens interested in becoming members of the San Diego Redistricting Commission must submit an application to the City Clerk no later than August 2nd, 2010. The applications will then be reviewed and the presiding judge of the Municipal Court will appoint the most qualified candidates. Important information regarding this process can be found on this page.

Here are the required application documents:

Application

Waiver

Statement of Economic Interests Form 700

Checklist

also, here is a mini application guide to help you with the proccess.

If you are planning to apply, please contact Emily at emily@empowersandiego.org so that we can help with any questions you have about the process and help secure important organizational nominations for your application.

The Passage of Proposition D

In November 2004 a five-year trial of the Strong Mayor system of government was approved by voters and initiated on January 1, 2006. Previously, a City Manager form of government made decisions regarding the City of San Diego. In the City manager form, the City Council held more power with a mayor whose role resembled that of a CEO on a board of directors.

With the passage of Proposition D in the June 2010 Primary, the Strong Mayor form of government became permanent. As a result, a ninth council district--with an estimated cost of $1-1.5 million per year--has been established. Each district will allocate 18,000
people to the newly created ninth, and all district boundaries will be redrawn. Wth the use of collected 2010 Census data, a citizen Redistricting Commission will redraw the district boundaries of San Diego.

Gloria Penner, host of KPBS program San Diego Week, discusses the passage of Proposition D with senior metro reporter Alison St John below.

Redistricting Information

Each census year (every ten years), a Redistricting Commission is established to undertake the drawing of district boundaries within the City. The Commission has no longer than nine months to redraw these boundaries after the Census information is reported. Districts provide important functions for the City, including electing all Council members and providing fair representation of each area's population.

Click Here for the Official San Diego Redistricting Commission Website

Appointments to the Commission

Members of the Redistricting Commission are appointed by the Appointing Authority, a panel of three retired Superior Court judges, as provided for in City Charter section 5.1. Appointments are made after the Appointing Authority reviews the nominations and applications submitted by local candidates.

Requirements for Appointment

All potential appointees must be a registered voters of the City of San Diego and possess a high degree of competency in order to perform the demanding responsibilities of the Redistricting Commission. The composition of the Commission requires that candidates provide the panel with diverse geographic, social, and ethnic representation. It is also recommended that candidates have demonstrated their ability to serve with impartiality in a non-partisan role.

Redistricting Commission Members of 2001:

(C) Chairman Ralph R. Pesqueira
(VC) Vice Chairman Leland T. Saito
(M) Mateo R. Camarillo
(M) Charles W. Johnson
(M) Marichu G. Magaña
(M) Shirley ODell
(M) Juan Antonio Ulloa

California (Statewide) Redistricting Information

The League of Women Voters of California (http://cavotes.org/issues/redistricting-implementation) has provided a list of important upcoming dates and deadlines for the California Redistricting Commission:

• October 1, 2010: A list of the 60 remaining applicants will be presented to Legislative Leaders. The Majority and Minority Leaders in the California Senate and Assembly may remove 2 applicants from each of the 3 pools of 20.
• Nov 15, 2010: Legislative leaders return the list to the State Auditor.
• Nov 20, 2010: The State Auditor is required to hold a random drawing for the selection of first eight commissioners by this date.
• Dec 31, 2010: Last day first eight commissioners have to select the remaining six commissioners.
• Jan 1, 2011: The first Citizens Redistricting Commission will be fully functional.

The Redistricting Game, from the USC Annenberg Center, is a great starter to refresh our civic minds with a visual and hands on approach to redistricting education.
check it out! play the game!