California State Auditor Reports Surge in Applications for Citizens Redistricting Commission

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the California State Auditor announced a surge in applications being submitted for a seat on the 14-member Citizens Redistricting Commission – the Commission created by the passage of Proposition 11, the Voters FIRST Act.  To date more than 19,900 applications have been submitted.  The act created a commission to draw the new state Senate, Assembly, and Board of Equalization district lines after the 2010 Census and charged the California State Auditor with creating the Commission.  

"Since the opening of the application period on Dec. 15, 2009, we have seen a steady stream of applications submitted," said California State Auditor Elaine M. Howle, "but the recent surge in applications leads me to believe that many more Californians who may want to take advantage of the opportunity are just now tuning into the opportunity.  Clearly the statewide radio spots that are running, the increased press attention, the outreach by other organizations, and all of our other outreach efforts have led to a sharp increase in applications – we received more than 600 applications during one eight hour period alone.  Nothing in the Voters FIRST Act requires me to end the application period this week, so I am extending the application period four days to after the President's Day holiday weekend.  The application period will now close on February 16th at 5 pm."

Every 10 years after the census, California goes through the process of redrawing the political districts from which representatives of the State Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization are elected, but Proposition 11—the Voters FIRST Act—transferred the responsibility from the Legislature to a new 14-member independent commission made up of California citizens.  The Commission is open to registered California voters who 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.

"I asked my office to conduct an analysis of the number and flow of applications since we began accepting applications on December 15th.  It is clear to me that for the last week, we have seen a huge increase.  After the first day of radio advertising, we received nearly 1,000 applications and that surge has continued.  With every passing day we are getting a broader cross-section of the public from all over the state.  I'm thrilled with the surge and want to keep the process open a few more days to make sure that everyone who is interested has the opportunity to apply."

For more information, membership requirements and to apply to the Commission, please visit www.WeDrawTheLines.ca.gov, or if you have questions, please call (866) 356-5217.  Application deadline is February 16th at 5 pm.  You can also follow We Draw the Lines on Twitter at @WeDrawTheLines and tag related tweets with #WeDrawTheLines.

SOURCE California State Auditor's Office