Every 10 years, after the federal census, California redraws the boundaries of its Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly, and State Board of Equalization districts, to reflect the new population data. The California’s Citizens Redistricting will determine whether changes are necessary, and will hold five public hearings to allow the public to weigh in about how the districts should be drawn. One of the meetings will be held on Thursday, April 28 at Los Angeles City Hall from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“[With] Los Angeles, being the largest city in the state, the contributions made at our public hearings will weigh heavily,” Commissioner Andre Parvenu said.

When voters with similar interests are drawn into a district together, their voices multiply, giving them a greater opportunity to express their views, elect candidates of their choice and hold their leaders accountable, according to Parvenu. The public is encouraged to present testimony about their communities, describing the kind of people who live there, important issues, community centers and community history.

The commission is accepting testimony before drawing its first round of draft maps, which will be released June 10. Final district maps will be sent to the State Secretary for approval on August 15.

The state’s redistricting is designed to prevent gerrymandering, where a political party gains an advantage politically by manipulating geographic boundaries to create partisan, incumbent-protected, and neutral districts.

“We are blind to the politics of this process,” Parvenu said. “Ideally, you won’t be in a situation where you can walk two blocks and be in a different district.”

The Commission will hold additional hearings in Long Beach on April 27; San Gabriel on April 29; City of San Fernando on April 30; and Lancaster on May 1.  For more information, visit www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov.