California voters created an independent redistricting commission to stop lawmakers and powerful interests from drawing gerrymandered congressional and legislative districts that consolidated their power at the expense of fair representation. That commission is now accused of routinely flouting the law by holding closed-door meetings and other acts that threaten to undermine its impartiality as it prepares to draw new maps. AdvertisementA spokesman for the California Citizens Redistricting Commission said the 14-member body planned to discuss the allegations at its Thursday meeting and declined to comment further. In California, this is only the second time that redistricting will be completed by an independent panel rather than the Legislature. The commission is charged with using the new census data and taking public input to redraw the district lines for Congress, the Legislature and the Board of Equalization.

Source: Los Angeles Times May 12, 2021 14:02 UTC