(December 22, 2008) Final certified results from the secretary of state show that the California Chamber of Commerce-supported redistricting reform measure was supported by 50.9 percent of voters in the November general election.

Proposition 11 changes the process for drawing political district boundaries and was sponsored by the League of Women Voters of California, AARP, California Common Cause, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, CalChamber, California Forward and the California Business Roundtable.

CalChamber President and Chief Executive Officer Allan Zaremberg was a co-chair of the Yes on Proposition 11 campaign.

The CalChamber has long believed that fair redistricting is a key to meaning­ful political reform. Proposition 11, the California Voters First Initiative, allows the citizens of California—rather than the Legislature—to create legislative districts that will require elected officials be accountable to the voters.

Highest Turnout Since 1976

More than 13.7 million voters cast ballots in the November 4 general election, setting a new California record, Secretary of State Debra Bowen announced when releasing the certified election results on December 13.

The November election turnout was the highest since 1976 on a percentage basis, with 79.4 percent of California’s 17.3 million registered voters casting ballots. More than 5.7 million California voters, 41.6 percent, cast their ballots by mail. The remaining 8 million voters, 58.4 percent, voted in polling places.

The highest-ever percentage turnout in California was nearly 88.4 percent in 1964, when Lyndon B. Johnson defeated Barry Goldwater in the presidential race, the secretary of state noted.

Proposition 11 Commission

Proposition 11 creates a 14-member independent citizens commission to redraw state legislative district lines based on strict non-partisan rules. Unlike the old process, Proposition 11 ensures that the redistricting process is open and transparent and will respect existing city and county boundaries and communities. It excludes individuals with obvious conflicts of interest, including elected officials and their staff, from serving on the commission. The commission will include five Republicans, five Democrats and four members not associated with either party. The initiative also requires the commission to represent the state’s signif­icant diversity, including ethnic and regional considerations. Potential commission members could include university professors, CPAs, physicians, nurses, engineers, community advocates, teachers and more.

For final election results, visit www.sos.ca.gov.