Press Archive

Latinos Criticize the State Assembly, Senate
and Congressional Redistricting Plans
State Redistricting Plans Do Not Include New Latino Majority Districts Ignoring Rapid Population Growth Among Latino Communities

Los Angeles, CA - "The Assembly and Senate reapportionment officials have conspired in a bipartisan way to protect incumbents at the expense of Latino communities despite the rapid growth of Latinos in those districts," stated Antonio Gonzalez, President of the William C. Velasquez Institute (WCVI). WCVI argues that the bipartisan plans grossly ignored the Latino population throughout the state, while maintaining the status quo of both Democrat and Republican seats.

"Unfortunately the Assembly and Senate plans do not take into account the voices of Latino communities," added Gonzalez. Utilizing the most advanced computer technology and 2000 census data, WCVI conducted extensive community outreach throughout California's Latino communities and submitted plans for districts that reflected the growth of Latino population.

WCVI proposed the creation of two new majority Latino assembly districts and one new majority Latino senate district. Under the WCVI plan, the 56th assembly district, in the area of Southeast Los Angeles, would change from 36.9% total Latino population to 63.2%. The 36th Assembly District would be reconfigured into the San Gabriel Valley and changes from 25.9% total Latino population to 59.2%. On the senate side, WCVI proposed the creation of a new majority Latino districts for the 34th senate district. The Senate plan does not recommend the creation of a majority Latino district in Southeast Los Angeles. Under the WCVI plan, the 34th senate district's Latino population would rise from 31.8% to 69.1%.

WCVI also expresses its disapproval of the Congressional redistricting plan, which reduces Democratic Congressman Howard Berman's 26th District from 60 percent Latino to 40 percent diluting even further the Latino vote in that district. The plan does not include a new majority Latino congressional district for the Central Valley as recommended by the WCVI plan. "Latino voting strength is being diluted throughout the state, ignoring the growth of the population even in heavy Latino districts, '' added Gonzalez.

"WCVI will continue to monitor the State reapportionment hearings slated for Tuesday, September 4th, and Wednesday 5th, in Sacramento to insure that the gains made in those Latino communities are not overlooked, concluded Gonzalez.