Issues in Redistricting Reform

Prop. 11 andMinority Communities

Watts was split by incumbents into 3 districts at the Senate and Congressional levels.

Why reform redistricting?To Give Communities a Voice

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Prop. 11 andMinority Communities

2001 Congressional Gerrymander Split Latino Community

in LA’s San Fernando Valley to protect incumbent from Latino challenger

1991 Congressional Districts 2001 Congressional Districts

Why reform redistricting?To End Racial Gerrymanders

1990 CD 26 Drawn by Courts held 2001 CD 26 Drawn by Incumbent cutLatino community together out Latino community1991 Congressional Districts 2001 Congressional Districts

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• It ends the secret deals by incumbents to gerrymander our state’s districts. All meetings must be public.

• It prioritizes the Voting Rights Act and keeping communities, cities and counties whole over incumbent protection.

• It creates a Citizens Redistricting Commission to draw the districts based on input from Californians.

How Does Prop 11 address gerrymandering?

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Citizens Redistricting CommissionThe commission will be formed by January 1, 2011.• Currently, the pool has been narrowed to 120

applicants.• The racial, gender and geographic diversity of

the applicants is close to the state’s population, as required by Prop. 11:• 30% of Latino heritage• 14% Asian / Pacific Islander• 12% African American• 5% American Indian• 47% Women

Dilemma: How do you produce diversity given today’s Supreme Court strict scrutiny of such mandates?

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Dilemmas faced by reformers

How should the Commission be chosen?• By the legislature or a body of electeds?• By some other body, like judges?• Randomly?

• Prop. 11 created a hybrid processWhat rules should the commission follow in drawing maps?• Should competitive districts be mandated?

• Prop 11 does not require competitive districts.

• Do you preference counties, cities or communities?

• Prop 11 put all three on the same level.

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