California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday signed Senate Bill 977 into law, officially creating an independent redistricting commission for San Luis Obispo County and changing the way district lines are drawn.

Every 10 years, the county updates the boundaries of its five supervisorial districts according to population changes reflected by the most recent federal census.

Historically, those lines have been decided on by the Board of Supervisors, but now, an 11-member group of appointed citizens will be responsible for redistricting the county.

SB 977 was introduced by State Sen. John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, coauthored by Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, and sponsored by the SLO County Board of Supervisors. It was a priority bill for the Central Coast Caucus.

Now, with the governor’s signature, SLO County becomes the eighth county in California to create a citizens redistricting commission.

“Fair impartial voting districts established independently are a crucial aspect of our democracy,” Laird said in a news release. “With Governor Newsom’s signature of Senate Bill 977, the voters of San Luis Obispo can have confidence in the integrity of their elections.”

Find the full article here: SLO County redistricting commission bill becomes law | San Luis Obispo Tribune