California is divided into 52 congressional districts, each represented by a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. These districts were last redrawn in 2021 by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, an independent body established by voters through Propositions 11 and 20. The Commission, composed of 14 members, is responsible for ensuring that district boundaries are drawn fairly and reflect the state’s diverse population. The new district boundaries took effect in the June 2022 primary election, aiming to provide balanced representation across California's varied regions.
Explore the map of California Congressional Districts showing exact location and name of all the major congressional districts in California.
Districts in California
California is geographically divided into various districts that serve multiple political and administrative purposes. These divisions ensure effective governance and representation across the state's diverse and populous regions. The primary types of districts in California include congressional, state legislative, judicial, and those related to the Board of Equalization.
Historical Overview of Political Districts
Historically, the California State Legislature was responsible for redrawing the state's political district boundaries, including those for Congress, the State Assembly, the State Senate, and the Board of Equalization. This practice continued until significant reforms were introduced in the late 2000s to promote fair and transparent redistricting processes.
In 2008, California voters approved Proposition 11, known as the Voters FIRST Act. This measure established the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, a 14-member independent body tasked with redrawing State Assembly, State Senate, and Board of Equalization districts based on the latest census data. The Commission comprises five Democrats, five Republicans, and four members not affiliated with either major party, ensuring balanced representation.
Further expanding the Commission's responsibilities, Proposition 20 was passed in 2010, granting it authority over the redistricting of California's congressional districts. These reforms aimed to eliminate partisan gerrymandering and create districts that accurately reflect the state's demographic and geographic diversity.
Congressional Districts
California is divided into 52 congressional districts, each electing one representative to the United States House of Representatives. These districts are apportioned based on population data from the decennial census to ensure equal representation at the federal level.
The most recent redistricting, completed by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission in 2021, took effect for the June 7, 2022, primary elections. This process accounted for population shifts and demographic changes, aiming to create districts that are contiguous, respect community boundaries, and comply with the Voting Rights Act.
State Legislative Districts
State Senate Districts
The California State Senate consists of 40 districts, each represented by one senator serving a four-year term. Each district encompasses approximately 931,000 residents, making state senators responsible for representing substantial and diverse populations.
State Senate districts are designed to balance population equality with geographic considerations, ensuring that both urban and rural areas receive appropriate representation in the legislative process.
State Assembly Districts
The California State Assembly comprises 80 districts, with each electing one assembly member to serve a two-year term. Each assembly district represents roughly 466,000 residents.
Like the State Senate, Assembly districts are redrawn every ten years following the census to reflect population changes and maintain equal representation across the state.
Judicial Districts
The California Courts of Appeal are organized into six appellate districts, each serving specific geographic regions:
First District: Located in San Francisco, it covers counties such as Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, and Sonoma.
Second District: Based in Los Angeles, with a division in Ventura, it serves Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties.
Third District: Situated in Sacramento, it includes counties like Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Placer.
Fourth District: Divided into three divisions located in San Diego, Riverside, and Santa Ana, covering Southern California counties including San Diego, Riverside, and Orange.
Fifth District: Located in Fresno, it serves the Central Valley, including Fresno, Kern, and Stanislaus counties.
Sixth District: Based in San Jose, it covers Santa Clara, Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties.
These appellate districts handle appeals from superior courts within their jurisdictions, ensuring consistency and fairness in the application of state laws.
Board of Equalization Districts
The California State Board of Equalization is divided into four districts, each represented by an elected board member. This board is responsible for tax administration and fee collection, including property taxes and sales taxes, across the state. The districts are structured to represent California's varied regions:
First District: Covers much of Northern and coastal California, including counties like San Francisco, Alameda, and Sonoma.
Second District: Encompasses parts of Central California and the eastern Sierra, including Sacramento, Fresno, and Kern counties.
Third District: Includes much of Southern California, covering counties such as San Diego, Orange, and Imperial.
Fourth District: Primarily represents areas within Los Angeles County.
The Board plays a critical role in ensuring equitable tax policies and resolving disputes related to taxation within the state.
