SACRAMENTO, CA — On March 28, 2025, the California Citizens Redistricting Commission appointed Mr. Peter Blando to fill a vacancy on the commission created by the death of Commissioner Jane Andersen on December 28, 2024.

Mr. Blando, a resident of West Sacramento, was sworn in the same day and attended the latter part of that day’s Commission business meeting in-person.

In accordance with the Government Code chapter on the Citizens Redistricting Commission, Mr. Blando was selected from the seven remaining candidates in the same 2020 finalist subpool that Commissioner Andersen was drawn from. Of the seven, five remained qualified, available, and interested in filling the vacancy. The Commission voted in two rounds, first selecting two finalists and then selecting Mr. Blando as the replacement commissioner.

This is the second time a replacement commissioner has been appointed. On January 28, 2011, the 2010 Commission appointed Mr. Angelo Ancheta to the vacant seat created by the resignation of Commissioner Elaine Kuo on January 14, 2011, only two days after the first meeting of the full 2010 Commission. In the present case, the vacancy occurred more than three years after the 2020 Commission’s final maps were certified, on December 26, 2021.

The Commission also voted to direct its Legislative Subcommittee to initiate discussions on legal reform that would give the Commission discretion as to whether and when to fill any such post-maps vacancy in the future; the provisions regarding vacancies that occur prior to the end of any year ending in 2, when any vacancy must be filled within 30 days, will remain unchanged.

In line with its mandate, the Commission continues to consider other proposed changes to the laws related to redistricting in California and looks forward to working with the Office of the California State Auditor to help prepare for the selection and seating of the 2030 commissioners.

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