Redistricting
Following the release of the 2020 federal decennial census data in 2021, the County initiated its redistricting process. Redistricting is conducted every 10 years to redraw district boundaries and ensure that each supervisorial district has a substantially equal population, in accordance with the U.S. Constitution and the requirements of the Election Code.
The purpose of redistricting is to redraw the district boundaries to rebalance the population between districts every 10 years so that each district is substantially equal in population and meets certain criteria within the Election Code and U.S. Constitution.
On December 14, 2021 the Board of Supervisors adopted Map I.D. No. 74786 "Adopted Map" as the new supervisorial district boundaries.
Draft Maps & Publicly Submitted Maps
On January 12, 2022, an organization called SLO County Citizens for Good Government, and three other individuals filed a lawsuit in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court challenging the validity of the Board's approval of the Adopted Map (Map I.D. No. 74786. As a result of this litigation, on March 24, 2023, the County entered into a settlement agreement with the petitioners. Under the terms of the agreement, the Court set aside the Adopted Map and directed the County to reconsider alternative maps that had previously been reviewed during the 2021 redistricting process.
On April 4, 2023, the Board received an introduction of three ordinances each of which proposed to repeal the supervisorial boundaries established by Ordinance No. 3467. These ordinances proposed new boundaries based on three previously considered maps.
A public hearing on these ordinances was scheduled for April 18, 2023.
At the hearing on April 18, 2023m the Board considered Map A, Map B, and the Chamber Map and ultimately selected Map A. This map established new supervisorial district boundaries that went into effect upon adoption. However, per the California Elections Code, these boundaries are being phased in gradually over several years. The full implementation will occur as existing terms expire and elections are held in each of the newly defined districts. These district boundaries will remain in effect through the 2030 redistricting cycle.
As part of the same action, the Board also directed the staff to research the framework for establishing an independent redistricting commission in San Luis Obispo County for future redistricting efforts.
Map A
See the process of phasing in Board Adopted Supervisorial Boundaries after redistricting
On September 12, 2023, the Board considered options for creating an Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC). Staff were directed to draft a proposed ordinance, schedule a Brown Act compliant "study session" to engage the community, include cost estimates of costs, and direct the Executive Office to determine timing.
On January 16, 2024, the Board held a study session to review the proposed County Ordinance establishing a Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission. The Board directed staff to engage with Senator John Laird's Office to pursue enabling legislation, expressing a preference for:
- A commission of 11 members selected from 45 applicants
- At least 5 public meetings before map drafting
- At least 3 public meetings after maps are released
Senator John Laird, co-authored by Assemblymember Dawn Addis, introduced Senate Bill 977 (SB 977) in the California State Senate. It was referred to the Senate Rule Committee.
On April 9, 2024, the Board received a presentation on SB 977. The Board directed staff to notify Senator Laird's Office of the following:
- The Board supports the proposed amendments regarding vacancy procedures.
- The Board is open to future amendments revising commission composition to include 1 member from each district and 6 at-large members, provided qualifications and balance are maintained
- Supervisor Gibson was authorized to testify at Senate hearings, with Supervisors Paulding and Ortiz-Legg designated as alternates for the April 17 hearing.
- Passed the Senate elections and Local Government Committees
- May 21, 2024: passed Senate Floor (31-8)
- Approved by Assembly Elections, Local Government, and Appropriations Committees
- August 26, 2025: Passed Assembly Floor (60-15)
- August 27, 2024: Senate accepted Assembly amendments (31-9)
- September 3, 2024: Enrolled bill sent to Governor Gavin Newsom
The IRC will first be responsible for redrawing supervisorial district boundaries following the 2030 Census, ensuring future redistricting is carried out by an independent, community based body.
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Why is redistricting important?
Every ten years, supervisorial districts must be redrawn to ensure that each district has a substantially equal population. This process, known as redistricting, is important in ensuring that each Board of Supervisors member represents about the same number of constituents. Redistricting is based on data from the U.S. Census, which is typically released around March 31 of the year after the Census is conducted, However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the release of the 2020 Census data was delayed, therefore the 2021 redistricting process was also delayed.
Redistricting determines which neighborhoods and communities are grouped together into each supervisorial district for the purpose of electing a member to the County Board of Supervisors. This process has a direct impact on your community's voice in local government. You have an opportunity to participate by sharing how you believe district boundaries should be drawn to best represent your community's interest.
What criteria are used to draw district lines?
When redrawing supervisorial district boundaries, the County must follow specific legal criteria in order of priority:
- To the extent practicable, supervisorial district boundaries shall be geographically contiguous. Areas that meet only at the points of adjoining corners are not contiguous. Areas that are separated by water and not connected by a bridge, tunnel, or regular ferry service are not contiguous.
- To the extent practicable, the geographic integrity of any local neighborhood or local community of interest shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division. A “community of interest” is a population that shares common social or economic interests that should be included within a single supervisorial district for purposes of its effective and fair representation. Communities of interest do not include relationships with political parties, incumbents, or political candidates.
- To the extent practicable, the geographic integrity of a city or census designated place shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division.
- Supervisorial district boundaries should be easily identifiable and understandable by residents. To the extent practicable, supervisorial districts shall be bounded by natural and artificial barriers, by streets, or by the boundaries of the county.
- To the extent practicable, and where it does not conflict with the preceding criteria in this subdivision, supervisorial districts shall be drawn to encourage geographical compactness in a manner that nearby areas of population are not bypassed in favor of more distant populations.
Besides the above criteria, districts shall not be drawn for purposes of favoring or discriminating against an incumbent, political candidate, or political party.
General Public Comment
You may provide live public comments on the day of the Board meeting.
FAQs
Every ten years, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts a count of every person living in the United States. The most recent Decennial Census took place in 2020. This census provides a snapshot of how many people there are and where they live. Following each Decennial Census, San Luis Obispo County is required to divide its population into five supervisorial districts that are equal in population as reasonably possible. This process is known as redistricting.
As United States citizens, we have the privilege and right to elect our own representatives. As the County’s population changes over time, the supervisorial district boundaries must be adjusted to reflect for shifts in population and demographics. This ensures that voters in each district have an equal voice in electing their representatives. These elected representatives are responsible for public policy and funding decisions that affect the lives of County residents. Their responsibilities include oversight services such as law enforcement, hospitals, public works, children and family services and public social services to name a few.
The redistricting effort will be conducted by a multi-departmental County staff team that includes representatives from the Executive Office, Planning and Building , County Counsel, Public Works, Information Technology and the County Clerk-Recorder. Beginning with the 2030 redistricting cycle, an Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC), will be responsible for drawing and adopting supervisorial district boundaries. The IRC will conduct public outreach, hearings, and workshops to engage the communities of interest and gather public input before adopting final maps. The Board of Supervisors will no longer have the authority to approve or amend the maps.
