LOS ANGELES, CA –The NALEO Educational Fund today called on qualified Latino civic leaders throughout California to apply to serve on the state’s new Citizens Redistricting Commission, which will draw the lines for legislative and Board of Equalization districts in 2011. The application period opens today, and the deadline for applications is February 12, 2010.

According to Arturo Vargas, NALEO Educational Fund Executive Director, “The Citizens Redistricting Commission will develop maps that will be required to comply with federal law to ensure that Latino voters have a fair opportunity to elect the candidates of their choice during state elections. It is critical that Latinos have a voice on the Commission that will determine the contours of California’s representative democracy for the next 10 years.”

The 14-member California Redistricting Commission was created under a ballot measure approved in the November 2008 election. Under the measure, California’s Bureau of State Audits manages the selection process for eight of the Commissioners, and those eight Commissioners choose the remaining six. Individuals interested in applying for the Commission should visit the website which contains a sign-up page and on-line application: http://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/application.html.

Mr. Vargas continued, “To serve on the Commission, applicants must have relevant analytic skills, the ability to be impartial, and an appreciation for California's diverse demographics and geography. We believe that there are numerous Latino civic leaders in California who have the talents, expertise and commitment to public service that will greatly enhance the Commission’s ability to effectively carry out its important tasks. Commissioners will also be responsible for ensuring that the state’s redistricting process is open, fair and provides for meaningful public participation. Commission service will be extremely rewarding, and we urge all qualified Latinos to apply.”

Applicants for the Commission must meet certain eligibility requirements relating to voter registration affiliation and their voting history. In addition, applicants are ineligible if they or their immediate family have engaged in certain activities that are considered to create conflicts of interest. More information about the application process can be obtained from the Bureau of State Audits website at http://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/application.html. Individuals with specific questions about eligibility requirements or the application process can contact the Bureau at 1-866-356-5217, or at votersfirstact@auditor.ca.gov.

About NALEO Educational Fund
The NALEO Educational Fund is the nation's leading non-partisan, non-profit organization that facilitates the full participation of Latinos in the American political process, from citizenship to public service.