What is redistricting?

Redistricting is the regular process of adjusting the lines of voting districts in accordance with population shifts. Every ten years, districts must be redrawn so that each district is substantially equal in population. This process is important in ensuring that each supervisor represents about the same number of constituents. Redistricting is done using U.S. Census data, which is normally released around March 31 but will not be available to the State until August 2021 because of delays. On October 1, California will release the official population data after completing prisoner adjustments.

All district lines must be reviewed to meet strict requirements for population equality and voting rights protections. With the California Voting Rights Act, more than 500 jurisdictions in California must redistrict in 2021-2022.

In Merced County, the Board of Supervisors is responsible for drawing supervisorial districts based on US Census data and input from Merced County residents. Our redistricting process must be completed by the end of 2021.