Politics & Government

How Redistricting Impacts the San Fernando Valley

Yaroslavsky says the new plan proposed "will totally cannibalize" the neighborhood, and calls it "ridiculous."

The California Citizens Redistricting Commission has completed its work redrawing electoral boundaries and approved a final set of maps that totally redraw California electoral boundaries on Monday. 

“For the most part, they kept many of the San Fernando Valley communities in tact,” said Rita Villa, chairperson of the Neighborhood Council’s Governmental Affairs Committee, whose members kept on top of the redistricting maps and attended many of the meetings.

Villa detailed the San Fernando Valley impacts, good and bad:

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CONGRESSIONAL MAPS

What's good about the Congressional maps:

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Most San Fernando Valley communities are kept whole. This is a drastic departure from the current maps.

What's indifferent:

The Valley will be represented by five members of Congress, but only two are majority Valley districts which is same representation we currently have.

What's bad:

Three communities, Porter Ranch, Granada Hills, Valley Village, and one city, Burbank, have been placed in two different districts each. Two communities, Porter Ranch with Santa Clarita and Calabasas with West Los Angeles, have been placed in non-Valley seats.

 

ASSEMBLY MAPS

What's good about the Assembly maps:

Most San Fernando Valley communities are kept whole. This is a drastic departure from the current maps. Previously, the Valley was cut up into 7 Assembly districts with only 3 having a majority of Valley residents. In the new maps, the Valley will have 5 Assembly districts with 4 having a majority Valley residents.

What's bad:

Four communities, Chatsworth, Granada Hills, Valley Glen and North Hollywood have been placed in two different districts each. Two parts of communities, Chatsworth and Granada Hills, as well as all of Porter Ranch are with Santa Clarita and Simi Valley in a non-Valley seat.

 

SENATE MAPS

What's good about the Senate maps:

Most San Fernando Valley communities are kept whole. This is a drastic departure from the current maps. Previously, the Valley was cut up into 5 Senate districts with only 1 having a majority of Valley residents. In the new maps, the Valley will have 3 Senate districts with 2 having a majority Valley residents.

What's bad:

Under a revised plan to create a second Latino-majority district, Gloria Molina is suggesting that Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky's current Westside and San Fernando Valley district be radically reconfigured.

Yaroslavsky told the Studio City Neighborhood Council the new plan proposed “will totally cannibalize” the neighborhood, and called it “ridiculous.”

One community, Northridge and one city, Burbank have been placed in two different districts each.

“It would take about 75 percent of my district away as it now stands, including Studio City," Yaroslavsky said. "It’s a bit insulting.”

Yaroslavsky will be termed out of office in 2014 but might run for mayor in two years. Because he is in his final four-year term, he would not have to seek reelection in the new district.

He added, “I don’t normally ask for people to come and advocate for a position,” but he said on Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. people should come downtown to express their concern.


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