Census, term limit change means big turnover for lawmakers

By DON THOMPSON
Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — An unusually high number of California lawmakers will be gone after the November election. It’s the result of redistricting after the 2020 census and voter-approved changes to term limits a decade ago. The turnover has groups seeking to increase lawmakers’ gender and ethnic diversity cheering. The advocacy group Close the Gap is celebrating what executive director Susannah Delano calls “the Motherlode of open seats” and a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to reshape the Legislature over the next six years. Democrats’ overwhelming majorities in both chambers are expected to be safe. Half of the Senate is up for election every two years, while all assemblymembers run every two years.