City redistricting applications are extended again

PALMDALE — The City has extended the deadline to accept applications for the new Advisory Redistricting Commission until 6 p.m. May 27.

The purpose of the commission is to facilitate the process of updating the four City Council districts for future City Council elections.

The Council will appoint an 11-member commission and by resolution, adopt guidelines for the duties of the commission. The commission will work with city staff to develop and present a proposed outreach campaign to the City Council, conduct an outreach campaign to educate the public on the redistricting process and ensure public involvement.

The commission will also review, comment and make recommendations on proposed maps and redistricting plans, in compliance with the United States Constitution, the California Voting Rights Act, federal Voting Rights Act and the Fair Maps Act.

To qualify, candidates must: Be a resident of Palmdale and have resided in Palmdale for at least the past three years and be a registered voter. Residents not eligible to vote due to age or citizenship but have a Permanent Resident Card or Green Card are exempt from this requirement.

Potential candidates may not be a person or the family member of a person (i.e., spouse, registered domestic partner, parent, sibling, child or in-law), who has done any of the following in the preceding eight years:

•Been elected or appointed to, or been a candidate for, an elective office of Palmdale.

• Served as an officer of, employee of, or paid consultant to campaign Commission or a candidate for elective office of Palmdale.

•Served as an officer of, employee of, or paid consultant to, a political party or as an elected or appointed member of a political party central commission.

• Served as a staff member of, consultant to, or contracted with, a currently serving elected officer of Palmdale.

• Been registered to lobby in Palmdale.

The application is available at www.governmentjobs.com/ careers/palmdale. This online system to submit applications is primarily used for employment purposes but has been modified to accept applications for board/commission/ committee appointments.

There are certain sections that do not need to be completed. For example, the preferences section which pertains to minimum compensation, types of positions accepted, etc.

“I encourage our residents to seriously consider applying to be part of this new commission as we carry out this important mandate,” Mayor Steve Hofbauer said. “This will provide our community the opportunity to have a say in how the districts are created.”

For details, contact the city clerk by email at cityclerkdepartment@cityofpalmdale.org or by telephone at 661-2675151.