Maech 18, 2011 Via Eltroie Mail Citizens Redstiting Commission 1130 K Steet, Suite 101 Sacramento, CA 95814 Re; Public rust Commission staffing decisions Dest Membets ofthe Citizens Redistricting Commission: ‘Thank you for the opportunity to comment. This etter is in response tothe March 16th letter from Ron Nehring, Chtiman of the California Republican Pasy, ealing for lnmparsalty in dhe work ofthe Commission. In ehat lter Mr. Nebriag wrote that California Forwaed and Califenia Common Cause support the selection of multiple demographic and legal staff “co assue bipartisan balance... ad to protect the reputation aad integrity ofthe (Commission and ie sedistcting work product.” While California Porwatd fully agtees with ‘Ma. Nehing’s ell for impartiality in the Commission's work, we have not nor have we ever {intended to expzess a preference for one option over another with regued to how the (Commission achieves this objective In our February 24th letter tothe Commission, we sud chat no one, eespectve of politica afiiation, should feel at disadvantage dasing the crucial line dawing process. We also called for sigaiicant teansparency around the decision making process tha informs iting, and said staff should seflect reasonable politcal balance. Elsewhere we stressed the impotence of diversi, impartiality, and relevant skis, These qualifications can be achieved ina cange of ways: dhicugh careful balance of staffing decisions overall, balance within a job classification, hrough the hing of an individual wih astong tack record of impartial proflaninad vault, ur dung x pect view prusess, The vautibaincrs wl weve aE ust identify the most effective way to produce the necessary reslt and the proof will be in the pudding “The realy is that many ofthe most expetienced demographic consultants with redistricting related experience have wotked with, of been affiliated with, ar have been hed by individuals with testo Republicans or Democtatsat some stage in thee career. This lone should not be grounds for disqualification, What matters far mote i the quali of a person's www.cafwd.orgCitizens Reisticting Commission Mareh 18, 2011 Page 2 work and thee second. In this ease, we hope you wil focus on whether candidates have the necessary skills to do the work you have identified, and whether they have significantly demonstrated the ability to conduct chemselves impatilly ~ to provide confidence and reassurance tothe public, in addition to helping produce mape widely secognized as fi. \We know the Commission understnds these staffing decisions are cxtcl tothe success of the work you ate preparing to undertake, We cate about your choices because we want both the process and dhe results it yields tobe recognized by Californians as an improvement ovet the old system. We aso know that with only two applicants forthe postion of demographic coasaltant, i may noc be posible to avoid frustrating a significant portion of observers with yur final decision. For this season itis all the more essential dat the decision focus on applicants sl, tcc record and the ability tobe inypartial, and vat it be fll informed and ‘made in full sunlight. ‘Thank you again for providing us and other members of the public the chance to comment on this process, Wie ive Director www. cafwd.org