From Counties to School Districts, New Election Districts are in a Fight

The 2020 census doesn’t just reallocate U.S. Congressional Districts among the states, but guides all local election districts as they equalize population and follow other statutory and constitutional tests. California’s recent slow growth – about 6 percent vs. the U.S. population increase of 7 percent – cost the state a congressional district. California’s growth has declined dramatically in this century, some of which was caused by people leaving. They also shifted around the state.

California counties grew at different rates compared to the state average of 6 percent. Riverside, San Bernadino and San Diego counties grew above the average. Orange County grew only slightly and Los Angeles and Ventura will lose considerable political influence. Because the drawing of district lines affects incumbent politicians and the distribution of partisan influence in a county, city or school district, conflict is assured, especially when population doesn’t keep up to the state average.

See: 

PPIC: California’s Population
The Buzz: California Gains a Few People, But Loses Power