* SPANISH: Audiencias para la redistribución de distritos del condado planificadas para octubre
* VIETNAMESE: Các Phiên Điều Trần về Tái Phân Chia Khu Vực của Quận vào Tháng Mười
San Rafael, CA – The County of Marin continues to collect public input on the redistricting process and has scheduled two sessions on the topic during Board of Supervisors meetings in October. The boundaries between Marin County’s five supervisorial districts are under review to assure relatively equal population distribution based on the new 2020 U.S. Census figures.
Although an online mapping tool is available during the redistricting process, residents may draw maps with colored pencils and submit them as well.Redistricting determines which neighborhoods and communities are grouped together into a district for purposes of electing a supervisor. The process is required every 10 years upon release of new census figures to rebalance districts as necessary given changes in the population (see the current map on the Board’s homepage). Redistricting also keeps the County compliant with both the Voting Rights Act and state requirements.
On September 20, the state released California’s Redistricting Data, which is based on federal 2020 Census data and now accounts for state prison inmates which must be counted at their last home address. Marin’s population for redistricting purposes is 258,553, reduced from 262,321, which means the ideal supervisorial district will have approximately 51,710 people.
On October 12, the Board will request public feedback on criteria to be used for redistricting, especially in “communities of interest” that should be placed in a single district and not be bisected. On October 26, a demographer will then analyze existing districts with final adjusted census numbers, after which the Board will solicit additional testimony, adopt criteria for redistricting, and instruct the demographic consultant to prepare draft district plans. A final map must be adopted by December 15 to ensure the June 2022 primary election reflects the new boundaries.
The October 12 Board of Supervisors online-only session will take place at 1:30 p.m. Future sessions may be held in a hybrid format allowing both in-person and online interaction.
After starting the process in May, the County held a weekend workshop in August and unveiled a new online mapping tool so residents may propose their own supervisorial district maps and identify their own “communities of interest.” Residents are encouraged to create maps with the interactive tool that reflects population changes when a map boundary is moved on a screen, as well as to provide testimony in written or spoken format throughout the process.
Interested in the redistricting process and staying connected on this topic? Sign up to receive periodic e-mailed updates from County staff under the topic “Marin Supervisorial Redistricting 2021” or check the California Secretary of State’s webpage on redistricting.
Video and accompanying documents from past meetings are available on the public website, RedistrictMarin.org, and feedback can be emailed to County staff.
For disability accommodations, please phone (415) 473-6358 (voice), CA Relay 711, or email the redistricting staff at least five business days in advance of the event. The County will do its best to fulfill requests received with less than five business days’ notice. Copies of documents are available in alternative formats, upon request.