Encino's Voting Districts Are Changing: What Could That Mean for You?

After two years of work, the 14-member California Citizen's Redistricting Commission on Friday released draft plans for new legislative districts.

The plans show possible new boundaries for California's 53 congressional districts, 40 state Senate districts and 80 state Assembly districts, as well as districts for the state Board of Equalization, which handles taxation issues.

The boundaries are in the draft stage now, awaiting the public's input. Final district lines will be set in August.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU:

The redrawing means you could find yourself part of a new congressional or state legislative district, and a member of a new political majority or minority.

You can read more about the redistricting process, the commission, and the criteria used for the new districts in our . Maps of the new and old districts for Encino are attached at right. You can view draft districts for the entire state here.

Some observations on the proposed districts:

Encino residents would get to vote together as one community under the draft plan. The congressional representation of the community was previously split between Rep. Brad Sherman (who currently represents Encino north of the 101 freeway) and Rep. Howard Berman (who now represents the area south of the 101). Both are Democrats.

When contacted by Patch, a staff member at Sherman’s local field office said it is unknown which congressman would end up representing Encino under the proposed plan.

For its Assembly representation, the draft puts Encino into what it calls the Thousand Oaks – Santa Monica Mountains district.

Linda Rapattoni, press secretary for Encino's current Assemblywoman, Julia Brownley, said that under the proposed district boundaries Brownley would no longer represent the community. Brownley resides in Santa Monica, which would be located in a different district.

(To see an interactive map of the various district boundaries, go to http://134.173.236.112/draftplans/)

In the draft of the state Senate maps, Encino is part of what is called the Santa Clarita Valley district. If this draft stands, Sen. Fran Pavley would continue to represent Encino, as well as Calabasas, Hidden Hills and Westlake Village, said Pavley spokeswoman Deborah Hoffman.

“These are simply the first round of draft maps, and the final product could look very different,” Pavley said in an email to Encino Patch. “…The Commissioners said today they are almost certain that some of the Senate district maps will change before the next round of draft maps are released. Individual citizens and community groups should have a strong voice in how their communities are represented.

"The Commission will be holding meetings up and down the state over the next two months and I urge everyone to submit written or verbal testimony to the Commissioners about the importance of keeping communities of interest intact,” Pavley said.

You can find out how to participate by going to the commission’s website at wedrawthelines.ca.gov. The redistricting commission will host two public meetings in our region, on June 16 in Culver City and June 22 in Oxnard. Details for those meetings are also on the We Draw the Lines website.