New political maps are scrambling the fates of many politicians.
It's Wednesday. California's new political maps are scrambling the playing field. Plus, discouraging news about the drought. |
 | | The State Capitol in Sacramento.Max Whittaker for The New York Times |
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Call 2022 the Year of Redistricting. |
If you aren't familiar with the redistricting process, here's a refresher before I dive into how this affects California: |
Every 10 years, states use the latest census data to draw the political districts used to elect members of Congress and state legislators. The goal is to adjust the maps based on population shifts, so that the number of people in each district stays the same. |
Here in California, a 14-person independent commission in charge of drawing the maps finalized them in December. The changes take effect with the state's June 2022 primary. |
The new boundaries have scrambled the fates of many California politicians and shifted hundreds of thousands of voters into new districts. |
If you're wondering whether your district has changed, this CalMatters tool allows you to easily find out. (I learned that where I live in Los Angeles is in new congressional, State Assembly and State Senate districts.) |
 | | The final map of new congressional districts in California.California Citizens Redistricting Commission |
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Under the census, California lost a House seat for the first time ever, because of slowed population growth. The maps show that the loss in congressional representation was achieved by effectively eliminating a seat in the Los Angeles region. |
The new districts give Latinos far more voting power in California than they had before, bringing the share of Latino-majority districts to 30 percent. That could help Democrats defend their slim majority in the U.S. House in the 2022 midterms, but not necessarily. |
As for more local politics, the redrawn lines appear to have prompted an unusually high number of state legislators to decide to retire or seek other jobs. Some politicians are now in districts they are less likely to win, or they would have to run against people from their own party to retain their positions. |
There are countless ramifications here, and they'll most likely play out for years. The new maps will be in place, shaping the state's political landscape, for the next decade. |
If you read one story, make it this |
 | | Surveyors measuring the snowpack at Phillips Station near Echo Summit on Tuesday.Kenneth James/California Department of Water Resources, via Associated Press |
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- California snowpack: After a dry winter, forecasters don't think the state's melting snowpack is enough to fill up our reservoirs this year, CNN reports.
- Opinion: The U.S. has a violence problem, and it's up to Democrats to solve it.
- New legislation: California could grant fast food workers unprecedented power, The Guardian reports.
- Financial aid: Financial aid applications from incoming college students were down 12 percent statewide as of Feb. 23 compared with the same time last year, despite hopes that a return to in-person learning would prompt more students to apply, LAist reports.
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- Fresno State: The California State University trustees are independently investigating how Fresno State handled sexual assault cases, The Fresno Bee reports.
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- Mask mandates: Hundreds of Rocklin Unified School District educators took leave on Monday to protest their district's defiance of state-imposed mask mandates, The Sacramento Bee reports.
- Oakland mayor: Treva Reid, an East Oakland Council member, said Tuesday that she was running for mayor, The San Francisco Chronicle reports.
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 | | Johnny Miller for The New York Times |
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 | | China Cove at Point Lobos.Eros Hoagland for The New York Times |
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Today's tip comes from Louis Lebherz, who lives in Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Louis recommends Point Lobos near Monterey: |
"I have lived up and down California for many years. Having spent my working years as an opera singer, I have had extensive tours throughout the U.S.A. and Canada. I would not live anywhere but California, even with its flaws. My favorite spot can be found north of Big Sur and south of Carmel. It's Point Lobos. There one be can be somewhat alone as one traipses through this national reserve on its many well maintained trails. The wildflowers are spectacular in the spring time. The crashing surf on the north side; the calm, otter filled south side; and the many seals and sea lions with their constant barking on the most western point, are all calling me back again and again." |
Tell us about your favorite places to visit in California. Email your suggestions to CAtoday@nytimes.com. We'll be sharing more in upcoming editions of the newsletter. |
And before you go, some good news |
Can there be an upside to wildfires that ravaged some California vineyards? |
A spirits company in Alameda may have found one. |
Thanks for reading. I'll be back tomorrow. — Soumya |
Geordon Wollner and Mariel Wamsley contributed to California Today. You can reach the team at CAtoday@nytimes.com. |
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