Oakland, CA — Oakland’s inaugural Redistricting Commission announced its public hearing schedule as it deliberates and adopts new district boundaries for the City Council and School Board of Directors. District boundaries define and consolidate shared communities of interest which translate to voting power and political influence.
The Commission will receive public testimony on the following dates (all times at 6:00 pm):
• Wednesday, September 8, 2021
• Wednesday, October 13, 2021
• Wednesday, November 10, 2021
The August and September public hearing dates will focus on communities of interest testimony which will help the Commission identify interest groups that should remain in the same district boundary. The October and November meetings will focus on testimony surrounding the proposed draft maps, which will be available in early-October 2021. The Commission’s deadline to approve the new district boundaries is December 31, 2021.
“We encourage all Oaklanders to attend and provide input on the redistricting process,” Commission Chair Tracy Richmond McKnight said. “This is the first time the new maps will be approved by the community and we need your help in ensuring your priorities are met.”
Additional public hearings and in-person workshops may be announced at later dates. To stay informed of Oakland’s redistricting process, visit: www.oaklandca.gov/redistricting and select the ‘Provide Input’ icon at the top of the page.
Background Information
In November 2014, Oakland voters approved a ballot measure to establish an independent 15-member Redistricting Commission beginning in 2021. The Commissioners were vetted by an independent screening panel and met strict eligibility requirements. The Commission was formed in August 2020 and meets regularly on the second Wednesday of each month.
The Oakland Redistricting Commission is responsible for approving the final map for new City Council and School Board of Directors district boundaries. The new maps will go into effect in 2022, prior to the November 2022 election.