The Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) and other Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) organizations are encouraging qualified AAPIs to apply for the new redistricting commission established by Proposition 11.  The 14-person citizens commission will draw new maps for state legislative and Board of Equalization districts in 2011.  How the new maps are drawn will determine whether AAPI communities are kept together or split unfairly. 

As of January 28, 2010, 548 of the 10,716 applicants (5.1%) are Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI).  However, AAPIs represent nearly 15% of the state’s total population.  Although the percentage of AAPI applicants has increased in the past two weeks, the deadline to apply is fast approaching.  Unless additional people of color including AAPIs apply, there is significant risk that the commission will not reflect California’s diversity.  Up-to-date statistics can be found at https://application.wedrawthelines.ca.gov/statistics.

Individuals must fill out an online form to apply for the commission.  The form can be found at www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov and is due by February 12, 2010.  The Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans for Fair Redistricting (CAPAFR) is conducting application workshops for interested individuals. CAPAFR organizations are hosting application workshops throughout the state:

Sacramento County Workshop
Saturday, January 30, 2010, from 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm
Host: Coalition of Asian Pacific Islanders Together for Leadership (CAPITAL)
Location: 7000 65th St. #B, Sacramento, CA 95823
To RSVP: Sonney Chong, dachongs@worldnet.att.net  

Contra Costa County Workshop
Wednesday, February 3, 2010, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Host: East Bay Asian Voter Education Consortium
Location: Orinda Library - Garden Room, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563
To RSVP: Jenn Pae, jennpae@gmail.com

San Francisco County Workshop
Thursday, February 4, 2010, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Host: Asian Law Caucus
Location: Chinese for Affirmative Action, Community Room, The Kuo Building, 17 Walter U. Lum Place, San Francisco, CA 94108
To RSVP: Carlo de la Cruz, carlod@asianlawcaucus.org

Orange County Workshop
Saturday, February 6, 2010, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Host: Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA)
Location: OCAPICA Office, 12900 Garden Grove Blvd, Suite 214A, Garden Grove, CA 92843
To RSVP: Asma Men, amen@ocapica.org

Alameda County Workshop
Saturday, February 6, 2010, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Host: East Bay Asian Voter Education Consortium
Location: East Bay Area Youth Center, 2025 E. 12th Street, Oakland, CA 94601
To RSVP: Jenn Pae, jennpae@gmail.com  

Fresno County Workshop
Monday, February 8, 2010, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Host: Fresno Center for New Americans (FCNA)
Location: FCNA Office, Conference Room, 4879 E. Kings Canyon Road, Fresno, CA 93727
To RSVP: Fuehoua Thao, fuehoua@gmail.com 

Fresno County Workshop
Saturday, February 10, 2010, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Host: Fresno Center for New Americans (FCNA)
Location: FCNA Office, Conference Room, 4879 E. Kings Canyon Road, Fresno, CA 93727
To RSVP: Fuehoua Thao, fuehoua@gmail.com 

Los Angeles County Workshop
Wednesday, February 10, 2010, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Host: Asian Pacific Policy & Planning Council (A3PCON)
Location: Asian Pacific American Legal Center, 1145 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017
To RSVP: Mark Masaoka, mark.a3pcon@live.com

Santa Clara County Workshop
Wednesday, February 10, 2010, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Host: Asian Law Alliance
Location: Asian Law Alliance, 184 E. Jackson St, San Jose, CA 95112
To RSVP: Jacquelyn Maruhashi, alacensus@aol.com

Additional workshops will be held in San Diego and Fresno; the most up-to-date schedule is at www.facebook.com/capafr2011.  For more information about the commission or the workshops, please contact APALC at redistricting@apalc.org or visit www.facebook.com/capafr2011.