Note: The commission application filing period is now closed.
As outlined in the County Ordinance No. 5051, Section 2-10.9A, the required qualifications to become a commissioner are as follows:
- Be a resident of Santa Barbara County.
- Be a voter registered in Santa Barbara County.
- Have not changed registered political party affiliation within the past five years immediately preceding the date of appointment to the commission.
- Have voted in Santa Barbara County in at least one of the last three statewide elections immediately preceding applying to the commission.
- Must be eligible under the provisions of Elections Code § 23003(c), or any successor provision governing qualifications of commissioner for independent redistricting commissions.
- No commissioner may have any significant financial interest, as defined in the ordinance, in any company, corporation or other business entity that has donated $500 or more in one year to any candidate for elective office of the County of Santa Barbara, or to any controlled committee, primarily formed committee, general purpose committee, independent expenditure committee that expended funds in support or opposition to a candidate for elective office of the County of Santa Barbara within the last eight years preceding appointment to the commission.
- No commissioner or immediate family member may, within the last eight years preceding appointment to the commission, have contributed $500 or more in one year to any candidate controlled committee, primarily formed committee, or general purpose committee, independent expenditures committee or other political action committee that has expended more than $1,000 in support or in opposition to the election campaign for any elective office of the County of Santa Barbara.
- No commissioner or immediate family member may, within the last eight years preceding appointment to the commission, have been a board member, officer, paid or volunteer staff of, or had a significant influence on the actions or decisions of a political committee required to register with the California Secretary of State, which expended funds in excess of $500 in support or opposition to a candidate for any elective office of the County of Santa Barbara, including member communications.
In addition, the following criteria was taken into account:
- Experience that demonstrates analytical skills relevant to the redistricting process and voting rights, and ability to comprehend and apply the applicable state and federal legal requirements.
- Experience that demonstrates an ability to be impartial.
- Experience that demonstrates an appreciation for the geographic and cultural diversity of Santa Barbara County.
If selected to serve on the commission, a commissioner may not do the following:
- While serving on the commission, endorse, work for, volunteer for, or make a campaign contribution to, a candidate for any county elective office.
- Be a candidate for an elective county office for 10 years commencing with the date of his or her appointment to the commission.
- For four years commencing with the date of his or her appointment to the commission:
- Accept an appointment to any county office, board or commission.
- Accept employment as a staff member of, or consultant to, an elected county official or candidate for county elective office.
- In their personal capacity, receive a noncompetitively bid contract with the county.
- Register as a lobbyist for the county.