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By Jim Lawrence
Every 10 years, San Mateo County redraws the boundaries of its five supervisorial districts. Those lines determine which communities vote together, who represents us, and whose voices are heard in county government for the next decade.
This November, San Mateo County voters will have an opportunity to change who has the final authority to draw those lines. Measure U would amend the County Charter to require that supervisorial districts be redrawn after each federal decennial census by an independent redistricting commission governed by applicable provisions of California law.
I had the honor of chairing San Mateo County’s Supervisorial District Lines Advisory Commission following the 2020 Census. That experience convinced me that it is time for San Mateo County to establish a truly independent citizens’ redistricting commission.
Our 14-member commission took its responsibility seriously. We received training on the U.S. Constitution, the Voting Rights Act, California redistricting law, population equality, communities of interest, geographic continuity and other requirements governing fair district boundaries.
We then listened to San Mateo County residents.
We heard from people concerned about East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, the Coastside, cities, neighborhoods and unincorporated communities. Residents and organizations explained why certain communities should remain together and why others should not be divided.
The commission reviewed demographic information, population changes, public testimony and dozens of proposed maps.
After completing that work, we recommended two maps to the Board of Supervisors.
The board adopted neither.
Instead, the supervisors unanimously approved a different map, known as the “Communities Together” map.
The larger issue is not whether that particular map was good or bad. The issue is the process, and who should have the final say.
Why should elected officials have final authority over the boundaries of the districts from which they were elected to serve? That creates an inherent conflict — or, at minimum, the appearance of one.
Voters should choose their representatives. Representatives should not choose their voters.
San Mateo County should establish an independent citizens’ redistricting commission before the next redistricting cycle. The commission should reflect our county’s geographic and demographic diversity, operate transparently, receive appropriate legal and technical training, conduct extensive public outreach, and have meaningful authority over the final district map.
Independence would not guarantee that everyone agrees with every boundary. Redistricting will always involve difficult choices between population equality, voting rights requirements, communities of interest and other considerations.
But removing final mapmaking authority from the officials whose districts are being drawn can give residents greater confidence that the process is focused on representation rather than the interests of incumbents.
Redistricting may sound like an issue that matters only once every 10 years. It does not. The boundaries drawn during that process shape political representation and accountability for an entire decade.
San Mateo County can create a system that gives residents greater confidence in how those boundaries are established.
This isn’t about Democrats or Republicans. It isn’t about any individual supervisor or candidate. It is about a fundamental democratic principle: Who should have the final authority to draw the districts from which our representatives are elected?
On Nov. 3, San Mateo County voters will answer that question through Measure U.
Support for Measure U
Supervisor Speier, Supervisor Gauthier, The Leagues of Women Voters of San Mateo County, the ACLU San Mateo County Chapter, San Francisco Peninsula People Power and Belmont Neighbors Against Racism support Measure U and the establishment of an independent redistricting commission for San Mateo County.
Voters should choose their representatives — not the other way around.
Jim Lawrence is a civic leader in San Mateo County best known as the board chair of the advocacy group Fixin’ San Mateo County. He chaired the 2021 San Mateo County Supervisorial District Lines Advisory Commission and served on the county’s 2026 Charter Review Committee.
Editor’s note: There is no organized campaign opposing Measure U.
Thank you the helping us understand Measure U Mr. Lawrence, and thank you RWC Pulse for this op. ed!