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What Coronavirus-Related Census Delays Could Mean For California Voters
Angelenos vote in the March 2020 primary election. Chava Sanchez/ LAist
Every decade, a group of California citizens is selected to draw new political boundaries across the state, using the most recent decennial census data to do so. Redistricting is already a complicated job — commissioners have to give each district an equal number of constituents, protect historically disenfranchised communities, and listen to public input throughout the process.
This year, that job is going to be a lot harder. For starters, California is likely to lose a Congressional seat for the first time. On top of that, because of coronavirus-related delays to the 2020 Census timeline, commissioners might get population data too late to redraw district maps.
Best of all? California doesn’t even have a 2020 redistricting commission yet.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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