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New District Maps Promise To Reshape California Politics

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) - An independent citizens panel has released its draft of new maps for California's congressional and legislative districts in a process that could reshape California's political landscape.

The new districts proposed by the bipartisan California Citizens Redistricting Commission look significantly different because they ignore the concerns of political parties and incumbents, said Commissioner Connie Galambos Malloy of Oakland.

"They reflect geographic and commonsense boundaries, and these districts really attempt to balance the needs of different communities across California in a way that's never been done before," she said.

KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:

Geography was a factor in some cases, such as unifying San Francisco into one Senate seat.

Malloy said the maps seen in bits and pieces over the last two weeks as the commissioners toured the state offering glimpses of their proposal often bore no resemblance to California's existing political boundaries.

"The commission did not simply adjust the current districts, but we started with a clean slate and we followed the criteria that the California voters set forth," Malloy said.

The California legislature used to redraw district lines every 10 years using Census data, and critics charged the boundaries were set to keep incumbents safe rather than serve the public interest.

With the yearly budget impasse firmly in mind, voters in 2008 approved a measure appointing a bipartisan citizen commission to draw district boundaries instead.

Several lawmakers have already voiced complaints about how the new boundaries break up their current districts.

Marin's Lynn Woolsey likened it to invasive surgery and Loretta Sanchez of Orange County said the merge with a previously GOP held district shed much of her Latino base.

Analysts said the changes should make political competition much more intense. Malloy took the criticism as an affirmation that the commission had done its job.

"It does give testament to the fact that groups and individuals from all angles of the political spectrum have influenced the map directly and the public has truly had a seat at the table in a way that was balanced and fair," she said.

Nevertheless, changes are expected as the district lines are fine tuned.

Another round of hearings on the drafts is scheduled for this summer with finalization set for August 15th.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)

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