Wait, don’t go! Drawing lines really can be fun. My husband tells me that as soon as I mention the word “redistricting,” the snoring noises begin. What I can tell you is that the people at the top of both major parties in California have this once-a-decade process at the top of their priority lists and you should too. If you don’t believe me, just check out all of the partisan back and forth in the public comments section of our new Citizens Redistricting Commission (CRC).
Until this year, the parties were drawing district lines for their own benefit behind closed doors, and now they’re frantic that an independent commission really will be independent.
The powerful people who run the state from Sacramento are sidelined, and YOU are now front and center as we draw district lines for the State Assembly, State Senate, Board of Equalization and U.S. House of Representatives.
What are the things that make up the character of your community? What would an elected official representing our community be able to advocate for with one voice? This is the type of information that the Citizens Redistricting Commission (CRC) will need to hear about when they decide where to draw district lines. So come learn about how you can present to the Commission.
Please join us in the Bay Area to learn how to get involved and share information with fellow Californians.
WHAT: Northern California RedistrictingCA Conference
WHEN: Thursday, March 31 from Noon-5 p.m. (registration begins at 11 a.m., and lunch is provided)
WHERE: Doubletree San Francisco Airport, 835 Airport Blvd., Burlingame, CA 94010
COST: $10. People with financial hardship may call (213) 252-2552 for scholarship information.
Register at http://www.commoncause.org/RedistrictingCA
Some of the organizations you lean on for expertise and wisdom when you don’t know where to turn for political information you can trust make up the coalition hosting this conference.
Please consider telling others you know in the Bay Area about this half-day event. People power is YOU.
Kathay Feng is Executive Director of Common Cause
