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ANCA-WR Helps Community Add Its Voice To California Redistricting Process
asbarez
Friday, June 3rd, 2011
The state's redistricting effort logo
LOS ANGELES - The Armenian National Committee of America-Western
Region's Elections Committee has been working with local ANCAs
throughout the state to help raise awareness of the redistricting
process and how it impacts the Armenian community in California. Over
the past two months, Armenian Americans have attended public hearings
to educate public officials regarding the dynamics of the community.
California is home to the largest Armenian community in the United
States. On June 10th, the Community Redistricting Commission, the
body responsible for drawing the new districts will release its first
draft of district maps based on feedback it received through public
hearings and written testimony.
`In addition to submitting proposed district maps and written
testimony to the CRC describing the Armenian community dynamics in
California, the ANCA-WR worked with individuals throughout the state
to help ensure that their voice was heard,' said Garen Yegparian who
headed up the ANCA-WR Election Committee's Redistricting Task Force.
`This is just the first round. The ANCA-WR will continue to work with
the community and the CRC as the districts boundaries are finalized.'
`The ties that bind our neighborhoods and communities are
multi-dimensional. Ensuring that a common district encompasses these
neighborhoods is important and helps address core quality of life
issues in our community,' he added.
Every 10 years, the State of California redraws its federal and state
legislative district boundaries to more accurately reflect the state's
residents' demographics and overall dynamics.
This year, the process is being led by a 14-member commission, the
CRC, as established by the Voters FIRST Act which was voted into law
by Californians in 2008. Previously, the State Legislature was
responsible for redistricting.
The CRC is made up of five Republicans, five Democrats, and four not
affiliated with either of those two parties but registered with
another party or as decline-to-state. The CRC must draw the district
lines in conformity with strict, nonpartisan rules designed to create
districts of equal population that will provide fair representation
for all Californians.
The CRC must hold public hearings and accept public comment. After
hearing from the public and drawing the maps for the House of
Representatives districts, 40 Senate districts, 80 Assembly districts,
and four Board of Equalization districts, the CRC must vote on the new
maps to be used for the next decade.
To approve the new maps, the maps must receive nine `yes' votes from
the Commission - three `yes' votes from members registered with each of
the two largest parties, and three `yes' votes from the other members.
`While this only happens once a decade, it is one of the most
important forms of regular civic participation in which communities
can participate,' said Yegparian. `The decisions made today will
impact our community for years to come.'
For more information about the CRC, how its work impacts the Armenian
community or how someone can get involved in the process, individuals
can contact the ANCA-WR at [email protected].
The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy
organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination
with a network of offices, locals, and supporters throughout the
Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country,
the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community
on a broad range of issues.
asbarez
Friday, June 3rd, 2011
The state's redistricting effort logo
LOS ANGELES - The Armenian National Committee of America-Western
Region's Elections Committee has been working with local ANCAs
throughout the state to help raise awareness of the redistricting
process and how it impacts the Armenian community in California. Over
the past two months, Armenian Americans have attended public hearings
to educate public officials regarding the dynamics of the community.
California is home to the largest Armenian community in the United
States. On June 10th, the Community Redistricting Commission, the
body responsible for drawing the new districts will release its first
draft of district maps based on feedback it received through public
hearings and written testimony.
`In addition to submitting proposed district maps and written
testimony to the CRC describing the Armenian community dynamics in
California, the ANCA-WR worked with individuals throughout the state
to help ensure that their voice was heard,' said Garen Yegparian who
headed up the ANCA-WR Election Committee's Redistricting Task Force.
`This is just the first round. The ANCA-WR will continue to work with
the community and the CRC as the districts boundaries are finalized.'
`The ties that bind our neighborhoods and communities are
multi-dimensional. Ensuring that a common district encompasses these
neighborhoods is important and helps address core quality of life
issues in our community,' he added.
Every 10 years, the State of California redraws its federal and state
legislative district boundaries to more accurately reflect the state's
residents' demographics and overall dynamics.
This year, the process is being led by a 14-member commission, the
CRC, as established by the Voters FIRST Act which was voted into law
by Californians in 2008. Previously, the State Legislature was
responsible for redistricting.
The CRC is made up of five Republicans, five Democrats, and four not
affiliated with either of those two parties but registered with
another party or as decline-to-state. The CRC must draw the district
lines in conformity with strict, nonpartisan rules designed to create
districts of equal population that will provide fair representation
for all Californians.
The CRC must hold public hearings and accept public comment. After
hearing from the public and drawing the maps for the House of
Representatives districts, 40 Senate districts, 80 Assembly districts,
and four Board of Equalization districts, the CRC must vote on the new
maps to be used for the next decade.
To approve the new maps, the maps must receive nine `yes' votes from
the Commission - three `yes' votes from members registered with each of
the two largest parties, and three `yes' votes from the other members.
`While this only happens once a decade, it is one of the most
important forms of regular civic participation in which communities
can participate,' said Yegparian. `The decisions made today will
impact our community for years to come.'
For more information about the CRC, how its work impacts the Armenian
community or how someone can get involved in the process, individuals
can contact the ANCA-WR at [email protected].
The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy
organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination
with a network of offices, locals, and supporters throughout the
Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country,
the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community
on a broad range of issues.