Every 10 years based on the new U.S. Census data all district boundaries in California must be redrawn, this in order to reflect the population changes and ensure that each elected official represents about the same number of constituents.
The different counties in California use different systems to perform the redrawing or redistricting process, some appoint judges, others have the county supervisors make the changes and few others appoint citizen commissions.
In 2018, Santa Barbara County voters approved Measure G, which created an 11-member independent redistricting commission, thus becoming one of the few counties including Los Angeles and San Diego to have a civilian redistricting commission. The message to the general population was that having a committee of its peers representing the existing racial and ethnic makeup of the districts would add credibility to the process. The purpose of this commission being to create a transparent process where every member of the community regardless of race or ethnicity can be heard and have an input into the realignment. The members of the commission must live in the county and have previously voted in Santa Barbra County elections. In addition, members must preferably represent the demographics of the county.