Title
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive an oral status report on the number of 2021 Advisory Redistricting Commission Applications;
b. Receive a report on the recruitment process and eligibility requirements for the 2021 Advisory Redistricting Commission;
c. Receive staff recommendation and provide direction on the adjustment of eligibility requirements for the 2021 Redistricting Community Advisory Commission;
d. Approve Extension to Apply for the 2021 Redistricting Community Advisory Commission to July 19, 2021; and
e. Provide staff direction as appropriate.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive an oral status report on 2021 Advisory Redistricting Commission Applications;
b. Receive a report on the recruitment process and eligibility requirements for the 2021 Advisory Redistricting Commission; and
c. Receive staff recommendation and provide direction on the adjustment of eligibility requirements for the 2021 Redistricting Community Advisory Commission;
d. Approve Extension to Apply for the 2021 Redistricting Community Advisory Commission to July 19, 2021; and
e. Provide staff direction as appropriate.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On May 18, 2021, the Board of Supervisors received a staff presentation on recommendations for the 2021 Redistricting process. Pursuant to Section 23002 of the Elections Code, the Board of Supervisors approved staff recommendations for the formation of a fifteen-member Advisory Redistricting Commission (ARC). Each supervisorial district would have three (3) representatives appointed to the ARC.
State law prohibits a County elected official, family member, staff member, or paid campaign staff to a County elected official from serving on an ARC; however, the County may impose additional requirements for or restrictions on ARC membership. Accordingly, staff recommended additional eligibility criteria for community members interested in serving on the ARC in the presentation:
• Registered voter in Monterey County;
• Ability to serve from June through December 2021 and attend all meetings;
• Possess experience that demonstrates the ability to comprehend and apply the applicable State and Federal legal requirements;
• Possess experience that demonstrates analytical skills relevant to the redistricting process and voting rights; and
• Ability to complete training regarding local government ethics, statement of economic interests, analytical skills, voting rights, county profile with demographic information, and mapping software.
The following additional restrictions on ARC membership were also recommended. While serving, commissioners may not:
• be a candidate for an elective office of the County;
• endorse, work for, volunteer for, or make a campaign contribution to, a candidate for an elective office of the County; or
• serve as an officer or employee of, or paid consultant to:
§ a campaign committee or a candidate for elective office of the County;
§ a political party, or as an elected or appointed member of a political party central committee; or
§ an elected officer of the County.
Commission openings were posted on June 2, 2021 and the County began accepting applications through the County Redistricting page on the County website, by mail and in-person submissions, with a deadline to submit applications by June 28, 2021. Due to an insufficient number of applicants, applicant requirements were loosened and the deadline to submit applications was extended by two weeks (new deadline: July 12, 2021) to accommodate for increased community outreach and education. At the July 13 Board meeting, we will report on the status of applications received.
If the current pool of applicants remains low, staff recommends another one-week extension to apply, and a revision of the eligibility criteria to include only the state law required criteria and three of the previously recommended additional criteria:
• A person who is an elected official of Monterey County, or a family member, staff member, or paid campaign staff of an elected official of Monterey County, shall not be appointed to serve on the commission.
• Registered voter in Monterey County;
• Ability to serve through December 2021 and attend all meetings;
• Ability to complete training regarding local government ethics, statement of economic interests, analytical skills, voting rights, county profile with demographic information, and mapping software;
Submitted applications will be reviewed by Administration and the Office of County Counsel to qualify applicants based on the Board’s eligibility criteria. Each district Supervisor will receive all applications for their respective districts for selection of the three (3) applicants for appointment. The full Board will subsequently appoint the slate of the 15-member commission.
We request the Board provide direction on eligibility criteria and extension of time to apply.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This report is prepared by the CAO-Office of Community Engagement & Strategic Advocacy and has been reviewed by County Counsel. The following departments are engaged in support of the 2021 Redistricting process in their respective capacities: Information Technology Department, Contracts and Purchasing, Elections.
FINANCING:
There is no financial impact with receipt of this report.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Receipt of this report supports the selected Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
X_ Economic Development
X_ Administration
X_ Health & Human Services
X_ Infrastructure
X_ Public Safety
Prepared by: Rosemary Soto, Management Analyst III
Approved by: Nick Chiulos, Assistant County Administrative Officer
July 4, 2021
___________________________________________ ____________________
Nicholas E. Chiulos, Assistant County Administrative Officer Date
Attachment A: Redistricting Process Timeline (Updated 7.6.2021)