State Commission Approves Redistricting Maps

The California Citizens Redistricting Committee approved a final set of maps that totally redraw California electoral boundaries on Monday.

The vote caps off a process that began in 2008 when voters approved the new redistricting commission to replace the old process of the state Legislature handling the redistricting process that is done every 10 years.

The maps will be used for the 2012 election assuming that they survive any potential challenges - California state GOP officials have already released a statement saying they may challenge the plan with a ballot referendum and other legal challenges are possible.

Altadena's new districts can be viewed at right, and districts for the entire state can be viewed on this interactive map.

Congressional District

In the case of the congressional district, Altadena would no longer be divided into two districts as it currently is. 

Instead it would be part of a district that pushes south through Pasadena down to the 60 Freeway, including South Pasadena, San Marino, Rosemead, Monterey Park, and San Gabriel.  It also would have some foothill cities to the east, including San Marino and Glendora.

Altadena's current representatives, Adam Schiff and David Dreier, would reside in different districts, making it likely that they would not represent Altadena after the 2012 election.  Rep. Judy Chu, D-Monterey Park, will reside in the new district and has already .

Assembly District

Altadena's state districts would also see some significant changes.  In its current Assembly district, Altadena is grouped with Pasadena, La Canada Flintridge, Arcadia, and Monrovia as well as many southern cities like South Pasadena Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Temple City and elsewhere.

In the new district, Altadena would still be with Pasadena, South Pasadena, and Monrovia, but would also add Sierra Madre, as well as a grouping of cities in eastern Los Angeles County that are geographically linked to the the western cities only through the Angeles National Forest.

Those cities include San Dimas, parts of Claremont and La Verne, and Upland.

Altadena's current representative, Anthony Portantino, would no longer be a resident in the new district, but Portantino is termed out and has said .

Pasadena City Councilman Chris Holden has already announced his intentions to run for Assembly, and Altadena's district would be where he is eligible to run.

State Senate District

In the state Senate district Altadena would again be with Pasadena, South Pasadena, Sierra Madre and those eastern cities, but also with La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Burbank, and Glendale. 

That would preserve a good portion of the current district which includes Pasadena, South Pasadena, La Canada, Burbank, and Glendale, as well as a parts of the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles.

Carol Liu, who currently represents Altadena, lives in La Canada Flintridge and would be eligible to run in Altadena's new district as well.