You may be in new districts in this election...

All legislative districts, that is, the State Assembly, State Senate, and Congressional districts, have new boundary lines. This means that you may or may not be in the same district as you were in the last election. Many counties have also redrawn district boundaries.

To find the districts you will be voting in, simply key your address and zip code into "My Ballot" and note any new districts. Go to the contest page for a given legislative district and find a link to the new map for that district.

Who is your current representative? If you are now in a new district, contact your "old" representative until January 2003. In 2002, you will vote for candidates of your "new" district, but are still represented by the officeholder of your "old" district. [Find current federal and state representatives.]

California State Senate voting and representation is more complex. Half of the California State Senate seats are up for election in 2002 (the even-numbered ones) with the remaining seats in 2004.

The reason the State Senate changes are more complex is that the Senate is divided into districts with staggered elections. Other governmental districts with staggered elections will also have a similar scenario (for example, county board of supervisors). Contact that agency for detailed information.

What happens if you are "redistricted" to a different State Senate district? There are four possibilities:

1. You are in an even-numbered district ("current") and move to another even-numbered district ("new").

   Both districts are in the 2002 election.

   • You will vote in your new district.
   • In 2002, you are still represented by the officeholder in your current district.
   • In 2003, you should be represented by the winner in your new district.

2. You are in an odd-numbered district ("current") and move to another odd-numbered district ("new").

   Neither district is in the 2002 election.

   • You will not vote for a State Senate candidate in 2002.
   • In 2002, you are still represented by the officeholder in your current district (who will continue in office until the end of 2004).
   • In 2003 and 2004, you should be represented by the officeholder in your new district. Contact the officeholder to verify.

3. You are in an odd-numbered district ("current") and move to an even-numbered district ("new").

   Your new district is in the 2002 election.

   • You will vote for your new State Senate candidates in 2002.
   • In 2002, you are still represented by the officeholder in your current odd-numbered district who will continue in office until the end of 2004.
   • In 2003, you should be represented by the officeholder in your new even-numbered district. Contact the officeholder to verify.

4. You are in an even-numbered district ("current") and move to an odd-numbered district ("new").

   Your new district is not in the 2002 election.

   • You will not vote for State Senate candidates in 2002.
   • In 2002, you are still represented by the officeholder in your current even-numbered district.
   • In 2003, you should be represented by the officeholder in your new odd-numbered district. Contact the officeholder to verify.

Return to "What's New in this Election?".