Vote 'yes' on Prop. 11 for redistricting - Independent commission would reduce chances for voter district gerrymandering

The Fresno Bee

October 19, 2008

Every 10 years, state lawmakers get to pick the voters in their own legislative districts. This is not a process designed to make California a better state. Its only function is to protect political turf.

If you think our lawmakers have earned this perk, consider that these are the same people who have mismanaged the state's finances and dodged the toughest issues facing California.

This is a conflict of interest of the worst sort. Fortunately, Proposition 11 would reform the corrupt system.

Currently, leaders of both parties divide the state following each 10-year census. They say it's a public process, but the hearings are for show. The real work is done in private. By drawing lines based on party registration, they ensure safe seats for incumbents or their designated heirs. They create districts that twist and turn to avoid blocs of voters or snatch up voters they need to protect incumbents. This is easily done with sophisticated mapping and computer programs.

Supporters of reform say it best: The politicians pick the voters instead of the voters picking the politicians.

Under Proposition 11, there'd be less chance for gerrymandering because the power to draw districts would be given to an independent commission. The 14-member commission would consist of five Democrats, five Republicans and four others.

Selection of this commission would be complex, but it needs to be that way to remove the politics from the process as much as possible.

The initiative allows citizens (those who are not lobbyists or former legislators) to apply for the panel. After screening them, the state auditor would then recommend 60 finalists. The four legislative leaders could then strike 24 applicants deemed biased or unqualified. From the remaining 36, the auditor would then randomly pick eight commission members (three Democrats, three Republicans and two others) and those eight would select the other six members of the panel.

Critics, including Sen. President Pro Tem Don Perata and public employee unions, deride Proposition 11 as a "power grab," and on that claim, they're right. Proposition 11 would grab the power from kingpins such as Perata who get to determine, every decade, which party will win most seats.

As is well known, the backroom redistricting deals of 2001 prevented many qualified women, Latinos and African Americans from running for office because their residence was carved into a district dominated by the other party.

Although Proposition 11 would level the playing field, some Latino groups continue to oppose the measure because it applies only to the state Legislature and the Board of Equalization, and not congressional districts.

While it would have been preferable to include Congress in Proposition 11, that would have created significant opposition from Democrats and Republicans in the House, and they would have put money into killing the reform. It was a political decision to keep Congress out of this round.

Once Proposition 11 demonstrates that an independent commission can fairly draw legislative districts, it will be easier to extend that authority to the gerrymandered districts of Congress.

Proposition 11 by itself won't solve Sacramento's problems or reduce partisanship that creates gridlock on the most controversial issues. But it would be a significant reform that would make legislators more accountable to the voters.

That's why it is supported by Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, Democrats such as Leon Panetta and Republicans like Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

If you like how the state is being run, vote against Proposition 11. If you are outraged and want to bring about change, vote "yes."

Tell us what you think. Comment on this editorial by going to fresnobee.com/opinion, then click on the editorial.

Memo: EDITORIALS

Edition: FINAL
Section: VISION
Page: J2
Record Number: FRS_0416160091
Copyright (c) 2008 The Fresno Bee