Supporters of opposing supervisorial redistricting measures speak out

Voters will have a say on two measures aimed at mapping out future supervisorial districts.

More than 84,000 people live in each of the current Santa Barbara County supervisorial districts, but some people don’t like where lines are drawn in all five.

Supervisors voted unanimously to offer Measure G as an alternative to Measure H, after H supporters collected enough signatures to put it on the ballot.

The League of Women Voters in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria prefer Measure G.
​​​​League Co-President of Program & Action Lindsey Baker said, “G is the good one, H is the horrible one.”

Baker said G proposes an 11-member Independent Redistricting Commission that would act independently of the Board of Supervisors while the alternative Measure H would create a Independent Redistricting Commission with 5 members and 5 alternatives.

Santa Barbara County Republican Central Committee member Bobbi McGinnis favors the 5-member commission created by Measure H.

McGinnis said “H is better, the citizens put it on the ballot, not the supervisors.”

Although McGinnis said the measures are nonpartisan she said the current district benefits Democrats.

“We feel lines are gerrymandered to benefits Democrats, ” said McGinnis.

She also questions why Isla Vista is in the same district as Santa Ynez.

Both measures could lead to battles over Isla Vista and other locations.

The measure with the most yes votes will prevail on Nov. 6.

For more information about the measures visit, https://www.sbcvote.com