Every decade, counties redraw district maps for their communities. Stanislaus and Merced counties are working with the community to make sure the current redistricting process is guided by transparency, bipartisanship, and public input to ensure the new map reflects the will of voters, allows for competitive county elections, and fairly represents all communities. 

Both counties are seeking participation in upcoming community workshops and public hearings. 

Redistricting is the process by which Supervisorial District boundaries are drawn. Pursuant to Elections Code, following each federal decennial census, and using the census as a basis, the Board of Supervisors adjusts the boundaries of any or all of the supervisorial districts of the county so that the supervisorial districts shall be substantially equal in population as required by the United States Constitution. The new boundaries of the Supervisorial Districts will be adopted by the two counties’ boards this fall. 

Earlier this year, Stanislaus County established an Ad Hoc Citizen Advisory Redistricting Commission to guide the process and make recommendations regarding the new district map. Public input is encouraged throughout the coming months of September to December during the redistricting process. 

The public workshops and hearings will result in updated drafts of the five Supervisorial districts, which will be formally decided upon later this year. 

Stanislaus County has a series of community workshops scheduled in September and October. There will be one in Turlock at 10 a.m. Oct. 2 at the Turlock Public Library at 550 N. Minaret Ave.

Public hearings for the draft maps are planned for Board meetings on Nov. 8, 23 and Dec. 6. The Nov. 8 meeting starts at 6 p.m., while the other two start at 9 a.m. The meetings are at Board chambers at 1010 10th St., in Modesto.

A final public hearing before adoption of the redrawn map will be at board chambers at 9 a.m. Dec. 13.

Merced County has a community workshop planned for 6 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Merced County Office of Education, Downtown Professional Development Center “Mondo Building,” 501 W. Main St., in Merced.

The deadline for submission of maps by the public for consideration by the Merced County Board’s Nov. 16 meeting is 5 p.m. Nov. 2. Final deadline for submission of maps by the public for consideration is 5 p.m. Nov. 23. A public hearing and adoption of maps will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 7 at Board chambers at 2222 M St., in Merced.

For Stanislaus and Merced counties, the redistricting process must be completed by Dec. 15.

For more information on Merced County’s redistricting effort visit https://drawmercedcounty.org.

For more information on Stanislaus County’s redistricting effort visit http://www.stancounty.com/redistricting/.