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Redistricting

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COUNTY OF MENDOCINO REDISTRICTING PROCESS

Every ten years, local governments use new census data to redraw their district lines to reflect how local populations have changed. State law requires cities and counties to engage communities in the redistricting process by holding public hearings and/or workshops and doing public outreach, including to Spanish speaking communities.

WHAT IS REDISTRICTING?

Every ten years, supervisorial districts must be redrawn so that each district is substantially equal in population. This process, called redistricting, is important in ensuring that each board member represents about the same number of constituents. How the districts are drawn determines how effectively a community is represented in local government. In Mendocino County, the Board of Supervisors is responsible for drawing supervisorial districts and is utilizing a community-based advisory committee. Redistricting is done using U.S. Census data.

WHY DOES REDISTRICTING MATTER TO ME?

Redistricting determines which neighborhoods and communities are grouped together into a district for purposes of electing a member of the Board of Supervisors.

The Board of Supervisors through the Community-based Advisory Committee will seek public input in selecting a district map for our supervisorial districts. You have an opportunity throughout this process to share how you think district boundaries should be drawn to best represent your community.

You can contact the Committee at redistricting@mendocinocounty.gov to find out more about how the process works and to provide public comment.

WHAT DO THE EXISTING SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICTS LOOK LIKE?

You can find a map of the County’s current supervisorial districts here.

WHAT CRITERIA WAS USED WHEN DRAWING DISTRICT LINES?

In accordance with federal and state law, the Committee and Board drew district lines pursuant to the following criteria in order of priority

Federal Law:

  • Substantially equal population (based on total population of residents as determined by the most recent Federal decennial Census and adjusted by the State to account for last known address of incarcerated persons)
  • Federal Voting Rights Act (Section 2)
  • No racial gerrymandering

California Law:

  • Geographically contiguous districts (i.e., the County may not draw two districts that only join at a single point).
  • Geographic integrity of local neighborhoods or communities shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division (i.e., a population that shares common social or economic interests that should be included within a single district for purposes of its effective and fair representation).
  • Geographic integrity of a city or town shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division.
  • Easily identifiable boundaries that follow natural or artificial barriers (rivers, streets, highways, rail lines, etc.), and streets.
  • Lines shall be drawn to encourage geographic compactness (i.e., not bypassing one group of people to reach another group of people).

The Advisory Committee and Board of Supervisors may also consider additional criteria. However, boundaries shall not be drawn for purposes of favoring or discriminating against an incumbent, a political candidate, or political party.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DECIDING NEW SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT BOUNDARIES?

While the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors will make the ultimate decisions, the Community-based Advisory Committee with the assistance of County staff will advise and assist the Board with redrawing supervisorial districts.