The California Citizens Redistricting Commission was established in 2008 after voters passed Proposition 11 by a 50.8% to 41.2% vote. That measure set the duties of the commission to drawing legislative and state board of equalization boundaries after every census.
In 2010, voters passed Proposition 20 by a 61.2% to 38.8% vote. This measure expanded the commission’s duties to include the state’s U.S. House districts.
An attempt on the Nov. 2, 2010, ballot to do away with the CCRC by repealing Proposition 11 (2008) through Proposition 27 (2010) was unsuccessful, with 59.5% of voters in favor of keeping the CCRC.
The CCRC voted 14-0 in favor of new state Assembly and Senate district maps on Dec. 20, 2021, and delivered those maps to the secretary of state on Dec. 27, 2021. These maps took effect for California’s 2022 state legislative elections
The 14 members of the CCRC are required to be five Republicans, five Democrats, and four unaffiliated with either party.
But now the politicians, led by Gov. Gavin Newsom, want to take back the will of the voters by using the six following catch phrases:
• Proposition 50 levels the playing field — But ask yourself: How does giving this power back to the politicians, temporarily, level the playing field when one side already dominates the Legislature? Or do the politicians want to do this to create the first state with a one party system?
• Commits to fair redistricting — Ask yourself: If so, wasn’t it done fairly by the redistricting committee last time?
• Gives voters the power — Ask yourself: Which voters, and are they saying we didn’t have the power before?
• Is fair and proportional — Ask yourself again: Why is it different now than when determined by the redistricting committee?
• Is temporary — Think about it: If it is so good to make this change, why is it only temporary?
• Protects democracy — They say: “Prop. 50 makes sure next year’s midterm elections are conducted on a level playing field without an unfair advantage for Republicans.” What? (Reread the first catch phrase.)
The redistricting committee was voted for by we the voters. Why should politicians be allowed to take that away from us? They tried in 2010 and now they are trying again to take away that which the voters wanted. Vote “No” on Prop. 50 and reject a one-party system!
Ron Perry
Canyon Country
