September 21, 2011
Every ten years, the boundary lines for voting districts are redrawn after the U.S. Census. This year’s new lines are a source of controversy in San Bernardino County. Neither residents nor two of the five County Supervisors are happy with the new boundaries.
San Bernardino County Supervisors began redistricting talks last May, with the goal of setting boundaries so that each district has approximately equal population and to comply with the federal Voting Rights Act prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race.
Supervisors also promised to draw districts that consist of contiguous territory, respect natural boundaries, respect communities of interest and preserve existing district populations as much as possible.
S.B.COUNTY: Supervisors begin redistricting talks, Imran Ghori, Press Enterprise, May 24, 2011
The Board approved a plan for district boundaries that keeps the mountains split across two districts and moves Barstow into the same district as Redlands on Friday September 16, 2011, with a 3-2 vote. The meeting became contentious as 3rd District Supervisor Derry, who voted against the plan, charged that Chairwoman and 5th District Supervisor Josie Gonzales' chief of staff, Dan Flores, tried to cut a deal with his office. First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt also voted against the plan.
With the new district boundaries, Mitzelfelt loses Barstow to Derry's district, and Derry loses a number of mountain communities to 2nd District Supervisor Janice Rutherford.
The County web site promises that “Each district shall respect communities of interest to the degree possible given the total criteria.” 2011 Redistricting, San Bernardino County
However, many residents are concerned about the new boundary lines, as are two of the Supervisors. It seems that the issues have not been resolved.
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