California Citizens Redistricting Commission Statement on Census Delays

"Today, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that it will deliver redistricting data to all states by Sept. 30, 2021. The 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission is grateful to the Legislature, the California Supreme Court, U.S. Senator (then State Secretary) Padilla, the 2010 Citizens Redistricting Commission, and others who foresaw the likelihood of extended delay in the release of the redistricting data and put in place an effective framework that will allow the Commission to proceed with its work under a reasonable timeline. The California Supreme Court’s July 17, 2020 ruling in Legislature v. Padilla anticipated release of the redistricting data by July 31 and established an adjusted deadline of December 15 for the Commission to submit its certified maps to the Secretary of State. To the extent that the redistricting data are received by the state after July 31, 2021, the ruling further extends the Commission’s deadline to submit its certified maps to the Secretary of State by the same number of days after the adjusted deadline of December 15, 2021. For example, if there is a 60-day delay in receipt of the data beyond July 31, the Commission would have until 60 days after December 15 to submit its certified maps. We remain committed to including and involving as many Californians as possible in the redistricting process and again thank those who worked diligently last year to ensure that we would have the time we need to carry out our work.”