Press Release
Guest User
CALIFORNIA CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION ...

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2021 -- LOS ANGELES, CA -- During the late evening hours of Monday, December 20, 2021, the Commission voted to approve the final Congressional, Senate, and Assembly maps, which can be viewed here. This marks one of the last steps of the redistricting process as the Commission is required to post these maps for 3 days before they will be final. By law, maps need to be certified by December 27, 2021, so they are unlikely to change. Once finalized, these maps will play a major role in the future of our communities and California politics for the next decade.

Press Release
Farrah Su
JOINT STATEMENT OF SAN GABRIEL VALLEY LEADERS ...

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021 -- LOS ANGELES, CA -- A coalition of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community leaders and organizations are joining together to raise concerns over California Citizens Redistricting Commission’s draft maps of the San Gabriel Valley (SGV). The draft maps split West San Gabriel Valley cities (WSGV) and East San Gabriel Valley (ESGV) cities with significant AAPI populations into multiple congressional districts. In these drafted commission maps, the AAPI community would face an uphill battle to elect a representative from their own community and reverse four decades of progress by community coalitions and partnerships.

Join our Efforts: We Need Vote Centers in Koreatown and Chinatown

Join our Efforts: We Need Vote Centers in Koreatown and Chinatown

Through a thread on Twitter on May 9, it was discovered that there were ZERO Vote Centers in both Chinatown and Koreatown residential areas for the 2022 Primary Election. 

When asked, the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder / County Clerk (RR/CC) reported having trouble working within their current criteria and policies to identify available spaces for this primary election. While we hope to work with them in the long-term to identify where county policies and practices are leading to inequitable service of our communities, we can't let those policies stop us from seeking immediate solutions for this primary. In previous election years, there were locations throughout Koreatown and Chinatown. These sites were overwhelmingly popular and experienced long wait times to vote. We believe this indicates a need for more voting sites, rather than the elimination of all of them. 

With Election Day weeks away, we are taking action to determine how we can expand voting access for Chinatown and Koreatown residents who would have difficulty going to a Vote Center outside of their neighborhoods. Access to these Vote Centers is critical as Vote Centers offer key services such as obtaining a replacement vote-by-mail ballot, language assistance services, etc. 

At this time of increased Anti-Asian Hate, where 3 out of 4 Asian Americans are worried about physical violence, in the recent poll by CAUSE, asking Asian American, Pacific Islander voters to walk one to two miles, or even several blocks to cast their ballot does not take into account their physical safety. Nor should they have to risk such physical violence in order to be meaningful participants in U.S. civic life. In addition, sites in Koreatown and Chinatown provide language services unavailable at community centers at the edge of their community boundaries. 

On Monday, May 16th, CAUSE, KAC, AAPI Equity, and AAAJ-LA met with RR/CC to understand why this happened, what has been done in the past week to fix the problem, and what else could be done before June 7th.  At this meeting, we learned the following:

Securing Vote Centers

  • Since last Monday and with the assistance of community leaders, one location has been identified in central Chinatown and three are being vetted in the northern half of Koreatown for a 4- or 11- Day Vote Center. The locations are yet to be confirmed, but look promising. 

  • CAUSE, KAC, AAPI Equity and AAAJ-LA advocated for multiple Vote Centers in both neighborhoods in addition to Flex Centers which run for a shorter time in smaller spaces. RR/CC is open to more sites if identified quickly.

Staffing Capacity

  • These Vote Centers will need staff and volunteers to work between Saturday, May 28 and Tuesday, June 7. RR/CC said it may still be possible to staff newly added Vote Centers IF they are confirmed by the end of the week (5/20/22).

Communications about new Vote Centers 

  • RR/CC planning for social media, postcard/mailers, and work with CBOs. Translations will be at a minimum in Korean, Chinese and Spanish.

Community Asks

  • Are you available to work as a volunteer between Saturday, May 28 to Tuesday, June 7? Can you help us spread the word about this need for volunteers?

We are in the process of scheduling future meetings with RR/CC and we will keep the community updated on future developments.

Thank you for your support, and please let me know if you have any questions or would like more information.

 

Sincerely,

Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment

Korean American Coalition

AAPI Equity Alliance

Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles

Read the update

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PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM), East West Bank today reaffirmed its continued commitment to the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. As part of its second-year pledge to the AAPI Giving Challenge, East West will donate upwards of $6 million to key nonprofits and initiatives supporting the AAPI movement for inclusion, equality, and justice.

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"Are four-year colleges worth the cost? More Californians question the value of a degree" (The Sacramento Bee)

"Are four-year colleges worth the cost? More Californians question the value of a degree" (The Sacramento Bee)

The Sacramento Bee reporter Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks coverage on CAUSE’s recently released California Community Poll. The poll is the 5th in a series conducted in a historic partnership between CAUSE, HOPE, and LA Urban League.

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"UC and CSU are unaffordable, and a 4-year degree isn’t the only way to succeed, Californians say in poll" (LA Times)

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"Will California’s Central Valley send a Latino to Congress in 2022?" (The Sacramento Bee)

"Will California’s Central Valley send a Latino to Congress in 2022?" (The Sacramento Bee)

The Sacramento Bee reporters Gillian Brassil, Jeong Park, Andrea Briseño coverage on the new Congressional redistricting maps and their impact on Latino, Asian, and Black communities. This article features an interview with Nancy Yap, CAUSE’s Executive Director.

CALIFORNIA CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION APPROVES FINAL MAPS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2021 -- LOS ANGELES, CA -- During the late evening hours of Monday, December 20, 2021, the Commission voted to approve the final Congressional, Senate, and Assembly maps, which can be viewed here. This marks one of the last steps of the redistricting process as the Commission is required to post these maps for 3 days before they will be final. By law, maps need to be certified by December 27, 2021, so they are unlikely to change. Once finalized, these maps will play a major role in the future of our communities and California politics for the next decade.

"Latinos and Democrats benefit from new California congressional map" (The Washington Post)

"Latinos and Democrats benefit from new California congressional map" (The Washington Post)

The Washington Post reporter Colby Itkowitz coverage on the newly approved Congressional redistricting maps. Coverage includes quotes from an interview with Nancy Yap, Executive Director of CAUSE.

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The San Gabriel Valley's Asian-Majority Cities Would Be Split Up Under This Redistricting Plan

The San Gabriel Valley's Asian-Majority Cities Would Be Split Up Under This Redistricting Plan

A proposal before the state redistricting commission would redraw two congressional districts currently represented by Judy Chu and Young Kim. Critics say..

JOINT STATEMENT OF SAN GABRIEL VALLEY LEADERS ON THE DILUTION OF THE AAPI COMMUNITY IN DRAFT REDISTRICTING MAPS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021 -- LOS ANGELES, CA -- A coalition of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community leaders and organizations are joining together to raise concerns over California Citizens Redistricting Commission’s draft maps of the San Gabriel Valley (SGV). The draft maps split West San Gabriel Valley cities (WSGV) and East San Gabriel Valley (ESGV) cities with significant AAPI populations into multiple congressional districts. In these drafted commission maps, the AAPI community would face an uphill battle to elect a representative from their own community and reverse four decades of progress by community coalitions and partnerships.

"The San Gabriel Valley's Asian-Majority Cities Would Be Split Up Under This Redistricting Plan" (LAist)

LAist’s Josie Huang talks with Nancy Yap, CAUSE Executive Director, and other local leaders about the CA 20221 Redistricting efforts and its impact on the SGV AAPI community.

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