Redistricting Process
Every ten years, local governments use new census data to redraw their district lines to reflect how local populations have changed. Assembly Bill 849 (2019) requires cities and counties to engage communities in the redistricting process by holding public hearings and/or workshops and doing public outreach, including to non-English-speaking communities. The Redistricting Process
What is redistricting?
Every ten years, districts must be redrawn so that each district is substantially equal in population. This process, called redistricting, is important in ensuring that each board member represents about the same number of constituents. In Siskiyou County, the Board of Supervisors is responsible for drawing supervisorial districts. Redistricting is done using U.S. Census data, which is released around March 31, 2021. For the County of Siskiyou, the redistricting process must be completed by December 15, 2021.
Why does redistricting matter to me?
Redistricting determines which neighborhoods and communities are grouped together into a district for purposes of electing a board member.
The Board of Supervisors will seek input in selecting the next district map for our supervisorial districts. You have an opportunity to share with the Board of Supervisors how you think district boundaries should be drawn to best represent your community.
You can contact the County Clerk Laura Bynum at laura@sisqvotes.org or (530) 842-8084 to find out more about how the process works.
What do the existing supervisorial districts look like?
You can find a map of the County’s current supervisorial districts on the Board of Supervisors' webpage
What criteria will our Board of Supervisors use when drawing district lines?
To the extent practicable, district lines will be adopted using the following criteria: (1) geographically contiguous districts (each supervisorial district should share a common border with the next), (2) the geographic integrity of local neighborhoods or communities shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division, (3) geographic integrity of a city shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division, (4) easily identifiable boundaries that follow natural or artificial barriers (rivers, streets, highways, rail lines, etc.), and (5) lines shall be drawn to encourage geographic compactness. In addition, boundaries shall not be drawn for purposes of favoring or discriminating against a political party.
How will our Board of Supervisors notify the public about redistricting?
The Board of Supervisors will reach out to local media to publicize the redistricting process. Also, we will make a good faith effort to notify community groups of various kinds about the redistricting process. Our public hearings will be provided in applicable languages if residents submit a request in advance.
The Board of Supervisors will notify the public about redistricting hearings, post maps online before adoption, and create a dedicated web page for all relevant information about the redistricting process.
How can I get involved?
The Board of Supervisors will be holding hearings to receive public input on where district lines should be drawn. Those hearings will be held on:
- September 7, 2021 at 9:00 am
- Location: Board Chambers and Virtual--Zoom
- Purpose: Public hearing, introduction of redistricting process and status report.
- September 21, 2021 at 6:00 pm
- Location: Virtual--Zoom
- Purpose: Public meeting to receive public comment and collect community of interest testimony prior to map formation.
- October 5, 2021 at 9:00 am
- Location: Board Chambers and Virtual--Zoom
- Purpose: Public hearing to receive status report, to present draft maps and receive public comment.
- October 19, 2021 at 9:00 am
- Location: Board Chambers and Virtual--Zoom
- Purpose: Public hearing to review final scenarios and set November 2, 2021 as the date for a public hearing to adopt an ordinance to revise the existing supervisorial district boundaries.
- November 2, 2021 at 9:00 am
- Location: Board Chambers and Virtual--Zoom
- Purpose: Public hearing to adopt an ordinance to revise existing supervisorial district boundaries.
You can also submit public comments, including suggested draft maps, by emailing: redistricting@co.siskiyou.ca.us
