California's first-ever citizens redistricting commission came alive today with the random drawing of eight initial members who were finalists from a pool of nearly 31,000 applicants.

The independent commission is charged with a once-a-decade task that lies at the heart of political power, determining boundary lines for legislative, congressional, and Board of Equalization districts.

The eight members selected today are Democrats Jeanne Raya of Los Angeles, Elaine Kuo of Santa Clara and Cynthia Dai of San Francisco; Republicans Jodie Filkins Webber of Riverside, Peter Yao of Los Angeles and Vincent Barabba of Santa Cruz; and those not affiliated with either party, Stanley Forbes of Davis and Connie Galambos Malloy of Alameda.