Update: Irvine Redistricting Resolution Passed by City Council
On November 23, the Irvine City Council passed the resolution requesting contiguity in Irvine’s redistricting 4-1 (Councilmember Agran, Vice Mayor Kim, Mayor Khan and Councilmember Carroll in favor). A friendly amendment was added to transmit the same request to the Board of Supervisors as well.
Last updated November 24, 2021.
As California redraws State and Congressional districts, the entire City of Irvine deserves fair representation, says City Councilmember Larry Agran. He and Vice Mayor Tammy Kim will ask the Irvine City Council to amplify this message through a resolution they will present at the Council’s November 23 meeting.
California’s proposed Congressional districts leave Irvine divided by the 5 Freeway, according to the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, last updated November 10, 2021.
The California Citizens Redistricting Commission is an independent agency tasked with creating and approving the next decade of State Assembly, State Senate, and U.S. Congressional districts. In accordance with voting rights laws, they must ensure that “communities of interest” — groups with common social and economic ties — have the power to elect representatives of their choice. When the California Citizens Redistricting Commission released maps that left Irvine divided into multiple districts, Larry felt compelled to share why they must reform these boundaries:
“Irvine’s incorporation 50 years ago has led to the formation of a master-planned city that is both thoroughly diverse and fully integrated. With an interconnected set of roads and open space, national recognition for its school system and public safety data, and high levels of social progress and equity across neighborhoods, Irvine is truly a unified community of interest, and we need it incorporated in its entirety within one Congressional district, one State Senate district, and one State Assembly district.”
With one representative for each district at the state and federal levels, Irvine residents will enjoy direct accountability from all of their elected officials. The City will also have a clear line of communication, partnership, and advocacy in Sacramento and Washington.
California’s proposed State Senate districts leave Irvine divided by the 405 Freeway, according to the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, last updated November 10, 2021.
California’s proposed State Assembly district for Irvine, according to the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, last updated November 10, 2021.
“Irvine is truly a unified community of interest, and we need it incorporated in its entirety within one Congressional district, one State Senate district, and one State Assembly district.”
To participate in the redistricting process, you can leave a comment with the California Citizens Redistricting Commission. Councilmember Agran and Vice Mayor Kim’s proposed resolution will be heard as Agenda Item 4.5 at the November 23 City Council meeting. You can visit the City’s website to learn how to submit an e-comment, join via Zoom, or attend the Council meeting in person.
For more information, click here to read the full memo.