Redistricting, the process by which the boundary lines for Congressional and state legislative districts are redrawn, is often a contentious, litigious process. But in the end, voters can count on having somebody as their elected representative in the state legislature.
Not so in California.
Because California senators have staggered four-year terms, many voters did not elect a state senator in 2012. However, because of redistricting, some voters were moved from districts that had 2012 elections and into districts that are not on the ballot until 2014. These voters thus do not have an elected representative in the state Senate for the next two years.
In response, state lawmakers approved a plan whereby many senators will temporarily provide constituent services for these otherwise unrepresented voters. This will temporarily increase some senators' constituencies by 30% or more.
