Redistricting California: Political District Lines Could Change For Montrose & La Crescenta

The California Citizens Redistricting Commission is redrawing political district boundaries this year, which could mean that Montrose and La Crescenta will fall within different State Senate, State Assembly, U.S. Congress and Board of Equalization districts.

The boundaries are adjusted every 10 years to reflect new population data. Members of the Crescenta Valley Town Council have lamented that the unincorporated area is not in districts with neighboring foothill communities that share the same interests and needs, and that Montrose and La Crescenta are instead lumped with communities in far-reaching San Bernardino and Ventura Counties. The Town Council has submitted a letter to the Redistricting Commission addressing this matter.

The Redistricting Commission will release the first draft of new district maps on June 10. Final district maps will be approved by the commission on August 15, then sent to the Secretary of State and the Department of Justice. It’s anticipated the new district maps will be ready for the June 2012 election.

“While we were upset after the 2000 census redistricting dividing our unincorporated area up like a patchwork quilt, something wonderful came from that experience - our new library.” said Danette Erickson of the CVTC. “Without U.S. Congressman David Dreier and his great influence in the House of Representatives, we may still be waiting for a new library.”

The unincorporated neighborhoods are currently within three State Assembly districts: the 59th District (R-Tim Donnelly), the 44th District (D-Anthony Portantino) and the 38th District (R-Cameron Smythe).

Montrose and La Crescenta fall in the 29th State Senate district and are represented by Bob Huff, but are surrounded by the 21st district and 17th districts.

And, Montrose and La Crescenta are in the 26th Congressional district, represented by Republican David Dreier. But all of Honolulu Avenue and the city of Glendale is in the 29th Congressional district, and represented by Democrat Adam Schiff. And, Montrose and La Crescenta are unincorporated communities within Glendale.

In fact, Montrose, La Crescenta and neighboring La Cañada Flintridge are surrounded by the 29th District. See a map of the 29th District and a map of the 26th District.

“It may have seemed silly for us to have representatives whose districts reached to San Bernardino County and up to Ventura County, [but] we did get to know some wonderful people and I for one, am grateful for their past support,” said Erickson.

The CCRC formed in December 2010 and has held hearings around the state to consider input from citizens.

According to the CCRC, these are the criteria that are considered when redrawing the boundaries:

• Districts must be of equal population to comply with the US Constitution.
• Districts must comply with the Voting Rights Act to ensure that minorities have an equal opportunity to elect representatives of their choice.
• Districts must be contiguous so that all parts of the district are connected to each other.
• Districts must respect the boundaries of cities, counties, neighborhoods and communities of Interest, and minimize their division, to the extent possible.
• Districts should be geographically compact, that is, have a fairly regular shape.
• Where practicable each Senate District should be comprised of two complete and adjacent Assembly Districts and Board of Equalization districts shall be composed of 10 complete and adjacent State Senate Districts.
• Districts shall not be drawn to favor or discriminate against an incumbent, candidate, or political party.

Information taken from www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov

California voters approved the creation of the state redistricting commission during the November 2008 general election when they passed Proposition 11.