Special districts provide essential services to millions of Californians every day. It’s time for you to tell your story.
The Capitol, the media, and most importantly, the community you serve should understand the difference your special district makes.
Join us this month as we take action together!
Every 10 years, California redraws the boundaries of Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly and Board of Equalization districts so they correctly reflect the state’s population. The 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission has recently finalized the new maps in time for the 2022 election.
Do you know what State Legislative Districts and Congressional Districts your special district will overlap for the November 2022 election and beyond? Will you have a new State Legislator or federal representative? CSDA has developed an interactive Special Districts Mapping Project to help you find out!
With the unique, unprecedented issues special districts face today, it is more vital than ever for policymakers to understand the value you have as community leaders. It is important to know your current representatives, as well as pay attention to who is elected this November, especially if your special district is impacted by redistricting.
The more familiar your district’s legislators are with your agency, the better the chance that they will understand and prioritize the needs of special districts when making decisions. The best way to achieve this outcome is to foster a personal relationship with your legislators and their staff on both the national and state level.
The most effective way to build a relationship is face-to-face. To cultivate a relationship with your district’s legislators, ask them to meet with you at least once a year. Putting a face with your name and district will make your relationship with your legislator even more meaningful.
Typically, a meeting can be scheduled at a legislator’s Capitol or District office, but in the continued age of COVID-19, your meeting may be virtual. You can also invite them to your agency’s office or host them for a tour or event at one of your facilities.
Visit our Take Action Toolkit to find a sample meeting request letter and a Best Practices document filled with tips and tricks to get the most out of your meeting. If you don’t see your district on our interactive map, contact us at membership@csda.net to share your shape file.
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