Shaping democracy and political empowerment: The critical impact of U.S. Census, reapportionment and redistricting
By Gloria Chun Hoo, past chair, Action Committee, LWV of SJ/SC Board member and LWV of California Board member
As mandated by the U.S. Constitution every 10 years since 1790, the federal government does an extensive count of every living person in the United States.
Results of the U.S. Census have a long-term, 10-year impact, affecting federal dollars that are distributed to the states as well as representation in Congress. For more information on why the Census matters, visit the LWV California webpage.
The 2020 U.S. Census counting was started in spring 2020 amidst the tumultuous Covid-19 pandemic that slowed and delayed the collection and processing of the data. League worked hard for a complete Census nationally and here in California.
By Aug. 16, 2021, U.S. Census data will be released for states and local governments to use as input to the processes that redraw district boundaries. In California, new district lines for California Senate and Assembly seats will be redrawn. Locally, boundaries for city, county, school board and other districts examined for potential redistricting.
California’s redistricting work is done by the California Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (CRC), thanks to legislation passed in 2008. The League of Women Voters of California was a leader in the creation and development of that legislation, helping make California one of the most progressive states in removing historic gerrymandering that had resulted in political shenanigans in drawing up electoral boundaries. California's CRC has gotten high marks for its work doing the redistricting for the 2010 Census.
LWVC continues to watch the redistricting process, and is pushing for local redistricting efforts to be more transparent, to engage voters in the process, and to ensure that communities locally have influence and input into redrawing of those district lines. The League actively supported passage for the new law Fair Maps Act to ensure timelines and criteria for redistricting for County and City boundaries.
Several cities, including San Francisco and San Diego, have established independent citizens redistricting commissions. San Jose has a Council Redistricting Advisory Commission which will make recommends to the City Council. The League has been following its work and our president, Carol Watts, testified at its May meeting.
Locally, our San Jose/Santa Clara League is observing both the City of San José Charter Review Commission and the city’s Redistricting Commission. We will be advocating for the establishment of a truly independent redistricting commission which will help to remove the potential for elected political figures in office to have the ability to favor and draw lines that may provide greater influence or political power to certain groups or what is known as gerrymandering.
We urge League members to join us in in not only observing and engaging in the current Redistricting efforts, but to support a charter change in San Jose to create an Independent redistricting committee for the 2030 post-Census redrawing of the lines.
The San Jose Council Redistricting Advisory Commission will hold public meetings (in person and via Zoom) for individual neighborhoods on Tuesdays, Aug. 7 through Sept. 18, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to discuss potential redistricting boundaries of 10 existing Council districts. See list of meetings.
Join the League’s Action Committee which meets monthly and contact its chair Vicki Alexander for details.
Early Results Affecting California’s Congressional Representation:
What will happen to California’s Congressional representation? April 2021 data for reapportionment of the U.S. Congress shows seven seats in US Congress changing. For the first time, California is losing a seat in Congress, and instead of 53 House seats, we will have 52. California will still have the largest delegation.
The six other states losing one seat include: New York, Ohio, W. Virginia, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio. Gaining a Congressional seat are Colorado, Florida, Montana, Oregon and North Carolina and Texas which gains two seats. For excellent information visit the U.S. Census website.
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Literacy program seeks volunteers
Partners in Reading (PAR) is an adult literacy program of the San Jose Public Library. It offers one-on-one tutoring for adults who read or write below the ninth-grade level in English. The program is always looking to increase learner enrollment and that requires more tutors to help adults build their basic literacy skills.
When it is appropriate, tutoring can take place at the King Library (where PAR is located), a San José Public Library branch, or another public site in San Jose. Currently, many tutors are meeting virtually with their learners. Tutors and learners decide together on virtual or a convenient location. Tutors must:
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be at least 18 years old
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have a high school diploma or GED
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speak, read, and write English well
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pass fingerprint clearance
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attend a tutor orientation and training sessions (all 3 sessions are required to become a tutor and are currently being conducted virtually) and complete online tutor training
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commit to a minimum of 6 months with at least 3 hours of tutoring per week
