In a series of cases from the early 1960’s, the United States Supreme Court ruled, based on the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution, that the states are required to reconstruct the boundary lines of the Congressional, State Legislative and other districts the year after the year in which the national decennial census is conducted in order to ensure that the population of each district of a given kind is reasonably equal.
Article XXI of the California Constitution also requires that the boundaries of California's political districts be redrawn. California law states that redistricting, or the legal process of redrawing the boundaries of the political districts, be conducted through the legislative process. Redistricting legislation is introduced, moved through the hearing process, passed out of the Legislature and sent to the Governor much like any other bill.
The development of the new district maps is a public process. The Senate Elections and Reapportionment Committee will conduct a series of hearings giving members of the public an opportunity to submit redistricting maps and comments for the Legislature's consideration. These hearings will be held across the state over the course of May, June and July. The California State Senate invites citizen participation and welcomes comments and input during the hearing process.
