(November 10, 2010) California voters kept the task of redrawing political district boundaries in the hands of the Citizens Redistricting Commission and extended the commission’s assignment to congressional districts.
Voters rejected Proposition 27, which would have eliminating the Citizens Redistricting Commission created by the California Chamber of Commerce-supported reform initiative of 2008.
Nearly 60 percent of voters said “no” to Proposition 27, while about 41 percent voted “yes.” Those percentages were reversed for Proposition 20, which extends to the Citizens Redistricting Commission the additional authority to draw new boundaries for U.S. congressional districts in 2011.
Proposition 20 was supported by 61.2 percent of voters, with 38.8 percent opposing the measure. Only San Francisco County voted to approve Proposition 27, 51 percent to 49 percent, and to oppose Proposition 20, 54 percent “no” to 46 percent yes.
Election Reform
CalChamber supported Proposition 20 as a critically important part of election reform, helping to make the congressional redistricting process more open, fair and transparent, in addition to increasing competition in elections.
Currently, there are 53 congressional districts in California—34 Democrat members and 19 Republican members.
Only one seat has changed parties over the last decade when Democrat Jerry McNerney defeated Republican Richard Pombo in the 11th Congressional District in 2006.
As of Monday, November 8, McNerney's lead stood at 632 votes over his Republican opponent, David Harmer. Registrars in the four counties within District 11 continue to tally votes. The counties do not expect to certify their final counts until at least November 24.
In the 20th Congressional District, incumbent Democrat Jim Costa, who was behind Republican challenger Andy Vidak a couple of days after the election, moved ahead of Vidak this week with 50.9 percent of the vote to Vidak’s 49.1 percent.
Citizens Commission
The CalChamber believes California cannot afford to return to a system where the politicians select their voters.
Although the 2008 measure creating the Citizens Redistricting Commission was not popular with politicians, it was strongly supported by a bipartisan coalition of consumer, senior, public interest, taxpayer, community and business groups.
The first phase of the application process to become a member of the Citizens Redistricting Commission ran from December 15, 2009 through February 16, 2010.
Applicants who were tentatively eligible based on information they provided in the first application were invited to complete the supplemental application and return it by April 19.
The Applicant Review Panel on September 29 submitted to legislative leadership the names of 60 of the most qualified applicants—20 Republicans, 20 Democrats, and 20 not affiliated with either of those two parties. Legislative leaders can strike up to eight names from each of the three groups.
Legislative leaders are to return the list by November 15. By November 20, there will be a random selection of the fi rst eight commissioners, who have until December 31 to select the remaining six.
The commission is to begin work by January 1, 2011.
For more information about the commission visit WeDrawTheLines.ca.gov.