Media Briefing Teleconference 6/12 at 10:30 am

New Report
Examines Whether California Citizens Redistricting Commission Was Transparent
and Democratic in Drawing District Lines

Findings will also show whether
Californians approve of the job of the commission and what must change
for future commissions to be successful

On Wednesday, June 12 at 10:30 AM, California
researchers, political leaders and civic leaders will join to release a new report that examines
whether the first-ever California Citizens Redistricting Commission (CRC)
effectively and democratically drew Assembly, Senate and Congressional district
lines. The report was commissioned by the League of Women Voters of California
(LWVC) in partnership with The James Irvine Foundation.

The report, entitled “When the People Draw the
Lines,” provides a thoughtful, unbiased and thorough analysis of California’s
citizen-led redistricting commission and explores precisely how the commission
went about redrawing 177 district lines in only eight months. It also provides recommended
actions to ensure that future commissions do not suffer from a lack of
infrastructure or support. 

During the teleconference, leaders from California’s government and
civic communities, including former redistricting commissioners, will unveil powerful findings about the work
of the commission, share information about the public’s opinion on the CRC’s
work and outline the steps necessary to ensure strong democratic participation
in future redistricting efforts. They will also outline how other states that
are interested in developing similar commissions can embrace what worked in
California and avoid potential problems.   

What:
                                  Media
Briefing
Teleconference

When:                                  Wednesday, June 12 at 10:30
AM

                                                RSVP to edit [at] fcpcommunications.com 

Who:                                    

Host:                                     Chris
Carson, Program Director for Campaign Finance and Redistricting, League of
Women Voters of California

 Researcher:                        Dr. Raphael
Sonenshein, Executive Director of the  Edmund G. “Pat” Brown Institute of Public
Affairs, California State University, Los Angeles   

Special
Guest(s):

·     
Catherine Hazelton, Senior Program Officer of
the California Democracy Program, The James Irvine Foundation

·     
Michelle DiGuilio, Member, California Citizens
Redistricting Commission

·     
Stanley Forbes, Member, California Citizens
Redistricting Commission

Number:                              (800)
230-1093              
 

                                                *
Ask for League of Women Voters of California Teleconference

 Why:  

A strong, effective
and transparent democracy allows for citizens to play a role in determining how
Assembly, Senate and Congressional district lines are drawn; however,
California previously relied on self-interested legislators to lead this
work.  In the past decade, California
residents made their voice heard and backed propositions that led to the
creation of the 14-person independent California Citizens Redistricting
Commission. 

“When the People
Draw the Lines,” compiled through interviews and extensive research, examines
whether the commission successfully drew district lines in a nonpartisan,
democratic way.  It also examines whether
the public was effectively engaged in the process and provides a blueprint for
future commissions, particularly in relation to public policy decisions that
will impact the Commission’s work.

 # # #

About the League of Women Voters of California (LWVC): The League is a nonpartisan political organization for
women and men that encourages informed and active participation in government
and influences public policy through education and advocacy. LWVC does not
support or oppose any political party or any candidate.

Subject

Media Advisory: New Report Examines Whether California Citizens Redistricting Commission Was Transparent and Democratic in Drawing District Lines