Staff Report
Residents of Santa Barbara County who are interested in and qualified to serve as a commissioner on the “You Draw the Lines” County of Santa Barbara Citizens’ Independent Redistricting Commission have until 5 p.m. Aug. 21 to apply.
In the November 2018 statewide election, Santa Barbara County voters approved Measure G, which establishes an 11-person Citizens’ Independent Redistricting Commission to adjust the boundaries of the county supervisorial districts through an open and transparent process in accordance with federal and state criteria.
The commission will be tasked with establishing the electoral district boundaries in Santa Barbara County for the upcoming decade following receipt of the 2020 federal census data, currently scheduled to be received in late March 2021. Applicants meeting the qualifications will be posted online for public review.
Following the application deadline of August 21, the County Elections Official will select the 45 most qualified applicants based on the criteria and qualifications detailed in the ordinance, whose names will be posted online for 30 days for members of the public to view before a random drawing to select five commissioners. Those five commissioners will then pick another five members and one at-large member to complete the commission.
The selection process is designed to produce a commission that is independent from the influence of the board, political parties, campaign contributors or other special financial interests, and is reasonably representative of the county’s diversity.
To apply for the Citizens’ Independent Redistricting Commission, please review the qualifications and criteria posted with the application at www.countyofsb.org/redistricting.
Applicants will be required to submit a printed copy of their completed application with an original signature no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.
For information about county government, go to www.CountyofSB.org.
