Full articles linked to in VOTER or e-blast
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From September 2021 VOTER
Why Redistricting Matters, Big Time Every Voice Matters, Every Vote Counts Redistricting/Districting and Creating Fair Elections CA State Redistricting The results of the 2020 Census are being released and will be used for the 2021-2022 redistricting cycle in CA. Redistricting is the process where voting district lines are redrawn within a state, typically once a decade following the Census. There are many resources and opportunities for members of the public to become informed and participate in the process. The California Citizens Redistricting Commission, made up of 14 California citizens, draws the new lines. Four maps will be redrawn for the state:
LWVC Redistricting in CA Fact Sheet We Draw the Lines California Common Cause 2021 Redistricting Information Redistricting in California Workshop: Mapping, Demographics & the Law Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Redistricting In our local community, the SCC Board of Supervisors has formed an Advisory Citizens Commission which makes a recommendation to the elected board about where to draw the lines and the elected board draws the lines. Each of the 5 districts has 3 Advisory Redistricting Commissioners. The 3 Commissioners for district 5, Joe Simitian’s district, are Katie Zoglin (Member LWV-LAMV), Dana Tom, and Raven Malone (Member LWV-PA). Find information here about the process and how to participate. County of Santa Clara Redistricting Process Foothill - De Anza Community College Moving to District Elections Foothill - De Anza Community College District Board of Trustees adopted a resolution in 2019 stating that the district will change the way voters elect trustees. Instead of “at-large” elections, voters will elect trustees from 5 geographic areas beginning in Nov. 2022. More information here. - Liz Jensen, Voter Services Co-Chair From December 2020 VOTER Climate change is an issue for emphasis for the League of Women Voters on the local, state, and national levels. LWV Bay Area recently held a Community Dialogue on Regional Decisions (check out their video and presentation slides) which highlighted the intersection among climate change, housing, transportation, and equity needs in the Bay Area, and how cities must plan for these needs. The video also shows how you can participate in this issue at a national, state, or local level in League advocacy. Speakers covered the following points. State law requires cities to plan to meet the housing needs of people of all income levels. The Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) forecasts over 30 years the total number of housing units across income groups from which cities and counties receive a Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). Cities are required to adopt a housing element in their general plan which shows where their share of regional housing could be built. What’s new is that transportation and housing strategies for the nine Bay Area counties and 101 cities are being planned together, with affordable housing located near regional transit hubs. Housing allocations to cities and counties under SB 858 must factor in the impact of climate change, with the goal of lowering greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to 20% below 1980 emissions, and put new housing where the jobs are located, with the goal of increasing the opportunity for low-income households to live in high opportunity areas (affirmatively furthering fair housing). High-opportunity areas and proximity to jobs by transit or auto will be the two primary factors that determine how much housing, by income-level, will be allocated to a city. Other factors include the extent of overcrowding; rebalancing income distribution by the household; protecting environmental resources; and increasing the supply and mix of housing types, tenure, and affordability. State law recognizes that meeting the challenge of climate change requires factoring in social equity, economic growth, housing, and transportation needs. Palo Alto, a high-opportunity, job-rich area with high-income households, can expect to receive an allocation of regional housing needs that exceeds its percentage of projected job growth. Under state law, each city will need to adopt a new housing element by 2023 which identifies specific parcels that can feasibly accommodate new housing of all income levels to meet that city's RHNA allocations. “Feasible” means that a developer could find an economic advantage to build on the parcel. In many cases, this will require rezoning or an increase in height and density. If a city does not adjust its zoning to make such development feasible, the state has the ability under SB 35 to take away local control and grant the developer the right to streamlined approval of certain projects. (CA Senate Bill 35) |
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