Alameda County Explores Redistricting After Population Shift
ALAMEDA (KCBS) - There has apparently been a major population shift in Alameda County over the past decade. Specifically, there has been a substantial population gain, and that appears to be reason enough for local officials to begin talking about drawing up new districts for the county's supervisors.
KCBS' Mark Seelig Reports:
"In Alameda County we have about 1.5 million individuals who currently live here," supervisor Keith Carson broke down the figures from the 2010 census. "And that's up about 120,000 individuals from ten years ago when the census was taken."
The southern part of the county, in particular, saw an increase of nearly 30,000 new residents.
"But, if you look in the city of Alameda, some parts of East Oakland, especially in the Fruitvale area, what you found was a massive shift of people who left those areas," said Carson.
And, because representation needs to be evenly distributed, redistricting appears to be in play now.
"This is really where our basic services are provided to the citizens here," pointed out Carson. "And we want to make sure that there is a fair opportunity for real participation and equal participation.
He is hopeful that the public will offer plenty of input. The first opportunity to do so would be at the Dublin City Council Chambers Tuesday evening.
More public meetings were expected, and if the process proceeds smoothly, new lines could be drawn by the end of the year.
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