A Tale of Two Counties: Community Efforts to Keep East Palo Alto, North Fair Oaks, and Belle Haven Together in San Mateo County

On December 27, 2021, the California Citizens Redistricting Commission (CCRC) submitted new district maps to the Secretary of State, effectively redrawing district boundaries for Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly, and State Board of Equalization seats. This process, mandated by the U.S. Constitution, occurs every ten years and aligns with the federal U.S. Census to ensure that district representation reflects current population data.

At the heart of this redistricting effort was a robust grassroots advocacy campaign aimed at keeping East Palo Alto, North Fair Oaks, and Belle Haven unified within San Mateo County. Initially, the Commission proposed separating these communities from San Mateo County and incorporating them into Santa Clara County's congressional district, aligning them instead with affluent neighborhoods like Palo Alto and Mountain View. This proposal ignited concerns among local organizers about the potential consequences of dividing communities that share socio-economic challenges and cultural ties.

Community members, including Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latinx, and Black leaders, rallied to voice their concerns. They recognized that these neighborhoods, characterized by lower-income residents and shared policy needs, would be better served by remaining together. One communication highlighted the urgency of their advocacy:

“There are also many Pacific Islander communities in these areas, including in Redwood City, near Palm Park, Roosevelt, and Redwood Village, and there are Pacific Islander communities in North Fair Oaks and Belle Haven.

Please keep North Fair Oaks, Belle Haven, and East Palo Alto together and with Redwood City in San Mateo County. These neighborhoods have more in common with Redwood City than with Mountain View and Palo Alto, which are affluent areas located in Santa Clara County.”

This correspondence exemplifies the grassroots efforts to influence the redistricting process. Community leaders organized workshops and discussions, ensuring that their voices were heard and their recommendations considered by the Commission.

In response to these advocacy efforts, the CCRC ultimately decided to keep East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, and North Fair Oaks together within San Mateo County. This decision reflects a recognition of the importance of equity and inclusion in the redistricting process.