Every 10 years, a federal census is conducted to evaluate how the demographics of the United States have changed. Now that we have data from the 2010 census, you are probably hearing about redistricting at the federal and state level, and it’s happening here in LA County too.
Last week, the Board of Supervisors began its review of the redistricting map which was approved by the Board’s appointed Boundary Review Committee (BRC). I made a motion to make some minor changes to this map, in order to further unify communities of interest. This week, two of my Board colleagues submitted their own maps. You can view all of these proposals on the county’s redistricting website at redistricting.lacounty.gov.
Under the new plans submitted, the Fourth District is the most vulnerable to dramatic changes. Millions of residents would be shifted into or out of our district, destroying the connections and relationships we have built over decades.
Some of the discussion and news coverage have turned redistricting into a racial divide. But they are getting the story wrong; it’s not about race. The Fourth District is the most diverse in the County, with Whites, Latinos, Asian-Americans, African-Americans and many other minority groups. Under the plan I submitted, Latinos represent the largest population at 43 percent of our district. I have always welcomed diversity in our district and loved getting to know the many cultures we have in our communities. My staff and I have worked hard to gain your trust, learn your issues and be as responsive as we can be.
Over the course of this process, hundreds of people have testified, and we have received over 1,500 letters asking that the Fourth District remain intact. To all of you who have taken the time to have your voice heard, thank you! You’ve been loud and clear that you do not want to be moved, and I agree with you. I can’t support splitting up longstanding communities of interest just because some lawyers say we might get sued.
In fact, the County’s independent legal counsel has determined that Plan A2 clearly meets the County’s obligations under the Voting Rights Act. As such, any dramatic changes are unnecessary and undeserved.
Our next review meeting is Sept. 6. It is my hope that we will move past the racial politics and partisanship and focus on what you elected us to do: solve problems and help those in need.
Don Knabe
Los Angeles County Supervisor
4th District
