What is Redistricting?
In November 2008, California voters passed Prop 11 the Voters FIRST Act authorizing the creation of the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission to draw new district lines for the state assembly and senate. Now, the citizens rather than the California Legislature had control of the process. Lawmakers could no longer draw districts for themselves.
Prop 20 the Voters First Act for Congress was approved by 61.3% of voters in 2010 and added the drawing of congressional districts to the citizen commission’s responsibilities. https://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/
Some of the supporters were:
Every state conducts redistricting every 10 years after completion of the U.S. Census. The CA Constitution does NOT have a provision for this to be done at other times. The most recent redistricting: 2021 (based on 2020 Census) Next redistricting: 2031 (based on 2030 Census).
Prop 20 the Voters First Act for Congress was approved by 61.3% of voters in 2010 and added the drawing of congressional districts to the citizen commission’s responsibilities. https://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/
Some of the supporters were:
- California Common Cause
- AARP
- The Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce
- The League of Women Voters
- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R)
- Former Governor Gray Davis (D)
- ACLU - Southern California
- California Black Chamber of Commerce
- Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- NAACP California State Conference
- California Police Chiefs Association
- California Forward
- Pasadena City Council
Every state conducts redistricting every 10 years after completion of the U.S. Census. The CA Constitution does NOT have a provision for this to be done at other times. The most recent redistricting: 2021 (based on 2020 Census) Next redistricting: 2031 (based on 2030 Census).
Check out these interactive map sites
Interactive version of the post Prop 50 maps:
https://aelc.assembly.ca.gov/proposed-congressional-map
Interesting third-party site that includes more partisan detail and vote history: https://davesredistricting.org/maps#viewmap::07e1f6c5-2187-4093-8824-5b17525e9442
https://aelc.assembly.ca.gov/proposed-congressional-map
Interesting third-party site that includes more partisan detail and vote history: https://davesredistricting.org/maps#viewmap::07e1f6c5-2187-4093-8824-5b17525e9442
PROP 50: ENDS FAIR ELECTIONS IN CALIFORNIA
Ends Independent Maps
Hands the power back to politicians to rig the system by drawing safe districts for their cronies. That’s not democracy — that’s entrenchment.
Silences Voters
Eliminates public input and transparency by taking redistricting out of the public square, where more than 35,000 Californians participated in the last redistricting cycle, and turns it over to politicians behind closed doors in the Capitol.
Undermines Democracy
Opens the door to gerrymandering, which disproportionately harms communities of color, reduces competitive elections, and erodes accountability.
Hurts Our Communities
Strips constitutional protections that currently ensure communities are kept whole and that maps are not drawn to favor political parties or incumbents.
Sets a Dangerous Precedent
Even “temporarily” killing off a piece of democracy sets a dangerous precedent for future politicians to undermine constitutional safeguards.
Costly, Wasteful and Dangerous
Requires a special election, costing taxpayers more than $250 million! CA now faces painful budget cuts to health care, education, housing, and other critical services.
Illegal and Corrupt
State politicians are willfully violating the state constitution illegally putting this measure on the ballot. The state constitution expressly prohibits the politicians from manipulating election maps for their own personal and political benefit. By even putting a misleading measure on the ballot, the politicians are violating their oath to defend the state constitution.
Ends Independent Maps
Hands the power back to politicians to rig the system by drawing safe districts for their cronies. That’s not democracy — that’s entrenchment.
Silences Voters
Eliminates public input and transparency by taking redistricting out of the public square, where more than 35,000 Californians participated in the last redistricting cycle, and turns it over to politicians behind closed doors in the Capitol.
Undermines Democracy
Opens the door to gerrymandering, which disproportionately harms communities of color, reduces competitive elections, and erodes accountability.
Hurts Our Communities
Strips constitutional protections that currently ensure communities are kept whole and that maps are not drawn to favor political parties or incumbents.
Sets a Dangerous Precedent
Even “temporarily” killing off a piece of democracy sets a dangerous precedent for future politicians to undermine constitutional safeguards.
Costly, Wasteful and Dangerous
Requires a special election, costing taxpayers more than $250 million! CA now faces painful budget cuts to health care, education, housing, and other critical services.
Illegal and Corrupt
State politicians are willfully violating the state constitution illegally putting this measure on the ballot. The state constitution expressly prohibits the politicians from manipulating election maps for their own personal and political benefit. By even putting a misleading measure on the ballot, the politicians are violating their oath to defend the state constitution.
Democrats currently hold 43 seats and Republicans hold 9 seats in congress.
If prop. 50 passes, California Republicans will only hold 4 seats!!
We must ACT to protect what little representation that CA still has………….
Gavin Newsom and Sacramento Democrats are at it again. On August 21st they jammed through up a dangerous scheme--Proposition 50—to dismantle California’s Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission and give themselves unchecked power to gerrymander California's Congressional districts.
What does that mean? It means silencing rural California, breaking up our conservative communities. Urge everyone to vote NO on Prop 50 in November!!! |
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