Information taken from “About Us | California Citizens Redistricting Commission.” — “Every 10 years, after the federal government publishes updated census information, California must redraw the boundaries of its congressional, state Senate, state Assembly and state Board of Equalization districts, so that the districts correctly reflect the state’s population.
“California voters authorized the creation of the commission when they passed the Voters First Act in 2008. It authorized the commission to draw the new district lines. In 2010, the Congressional Voters First Act added the responsibility of drawing congressional districts to the commission.
“The 14-member commission is made up of five Republicans, five Democrats, and four not affiliated with either of those two parties. The commission must draw the district lines in conformity with strict, nonpartisan rules designed to create districts of relatively equal population that will provide fair representation for all Californians.”
During my tenure on the City Council, I have served every single resident equally in a non-partisan manner. Those who know me, know this to be true.
As I stated at the City Council meeting on Oct. 14, I sincerely believe Proposition 50 should not be a partisan issue. It should be simple. The voters decided over a decade ago that they wanted to take redistricting out of the hands of politicians and voted for the non-partisan 14-member commission made up of five Democrats, five Republicans and four others who do not belong to either party.
Prop. 50 has become a divisive issue, but it shouldn’t be.
It is simple: Do you want to go back to districts formed by politicians with no public or voter input, and no transparency, or to remain in the hands of the non-partisan commission with public hearings that we the voters can attend and have a voice?
Prop. 50 if passed will break up the city of Santa Clarita into three districts. We were able to convince the non-partisan commission through a very public process that we and the immediate area surrounding our city must be in one district. If Prop. 50 passes we will lose the ability to have a local representative who represents our entire city.
My observation after seeing comments on social media these days is that there is a certain mindset and there is no deviation whatsoever. No willingness to explore a difference of opinion regardless of any factual information to the contrary.
Prop. 50 should not be a Democrat or Republican issue. The issue is simple: The voters decided they wanted to take partisan politics out of choosing congressional districts. A commission was formed by the voters with five Democrats, five Republicans and four others not belonging to either party.
Now the governor has decided that this non-partisan commission should be put on hold so that it can go back to the majority party in Sacramento deciding how to manipulate districts that tear apart cities and parts of counties to make sure that the one-party rule stays in place.
I have seen manipulation of ballot proposition language over the years that has no bearing on what the true issue is, but nothing like the “Yes on 50” ads.
They tell you, “It is temporary,” but how many times do these “temporary” measures magically become permanent?
Regardless of whether you are Republican, Democrat or any other party, Prop. 50 takes the power of redistricting out of the hands of the voters and puts the power back into the hands of politicians with no public input.
Please don’t fall for the “Stick it to Trump” rhetoric perpetrated by those who want more of a one-party rule than we already have. It is more of a slap in the face to the rest of us – we, the voters who already voted for the non-partisan commission as stated above.
Regardless of whether you are Republican, Democrat or any other party, Prop 50 takes the power of redistricting out of the hands of the voters and puts the power back into the hands of politicians with no public input.
Kern County has taken a “No on Prop. 50” position, as they stated, “This is a state of California issue – should a voted-upon initiative to take partisan politics out of the equation when deciding voting districts be annulled by Governor Newsom and the state Legislature, which has a super majority.”
Many of you have already voted one way or the other. But for those who have not yet decided and are not sure of what Prop. 50 actually does, I hope this article helps and you will look at both sides and think carefully before you vote.
Marsha McLean is a member of the Santa Clarita City Council.
