Special Notice / Hearing: 10:00 a.m.
Elec. Code, § 21507.1(d)
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Mike Callagy, County Manager
Justin W. Mates, Deputy County Manager
Subject: Report on Status of District Lines Advisory Commission and Public Hearing to Receive Input Regarding the Composition of One or More Supervisorial Districts (Elections Code Section 21507.1)
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation to:
A) Accept an update report on the status of the District Lines Advisory Commission; and
B) Open a public hearing to receive input regarding the composition of one or more Supervisorial districts pursuant to Elections Code Section 21507.1; and
C) Close the public hearing.
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BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to federal and state law, the Board must ensure the County’s Supervisorial districts remain substantially equal in population-based data from the 2020 federal census. This process must be completed and a final map of the district lines fully approved by no later than December 15, 2021.
On January 26, 2021, the Board voted unanimously to form an advisory commission that would recommend district lines to the full Board and formed and appointed a Board committee of Supervisors David Canepa and Don Horsley to make a recommendation on membership of the commission. On February 9, 2021, the Board directed staff to work with the League of Women Voters (the “League”) to develop a process by which the League would recommend a slate of members to serve on the 2021 District Lines Advisory Commission (“DLAC”).
Following a rigorous application and interview process conducted by the League, on August 3, 2021, the Board received and approved a slate of 14 individual commissioners recommended by the League. In addition, the Board provided that a 15th commissioner would be deemed appointed upon recommendation by the League, which thereafter recommended a 15th commissioner who was deemed appointed on August 26, 2021.
The Board directed the DLAC to hold at least two introductory meetings prior to release of the Census-based dataset required to be used for the redistricting process, followed by a meeting sited in each existing District (five in total) and a final sixth meeting, at which a final map or maps will be recommended to the Board for approval. The Board further directed that the Commission complete its work by on or about November 12, 2021 or earlier, to the extent feasible. The Board provided that the number of DLAC meetings could be revised if necessary and appropriate.
DISCUSSION:
The DLAC held two introductory meetings on August 25 and September 8, and then five District-specific meetings between September 11 and September 23. Out of health and safety considerations during the ongoing pandemic, all meetings of the DLAC have been held virtually, however the five District-specific meetings were each agendized with a geographic focus on a single District and coupled with geographically targeted outreach in that District in advance of each meeting.
In late September, the State released the official Census-based dataset required to be used for local jurisdictions’ redistricting processes. On October 7, 2021, the DLAC held its first meeting at which the Commission was able to discuss draft maps based on the official redistricting dataset. The DLAC has two remaining scheduled meetings on October 21 and 28 to discuss draft maps and ultimately make a recommendation for the Board’s consideration and adoption.
Public input is integral to the redistricting process, and State law requires that public hearings be held specifically to receive public testimony about the composition of one or more Supervisorial districts under Elections Code Section 21507.1. Thus, in addition to the hearings held by the DLAC, staff recommends that the Board conduct a public hearing to gather additional input from the public.