Questions and Answers in Regards to Prop 11

 

For more information, please visit www.yesprop11.org or call 916-325-0056.

January 16 , 2008

Why Should I Vote for Proposition 11?

Over the past several years, we have seen our state government paralyzed by partisan politics. Health care reform, water policy, and adequate funding for education and social services are among the many issues that have not been effectively addressed by our state government. And, California is again faced with a multi-billion dollar budget deficit leading to cuts to our most critical programs like education and care for people with disabilities.   

Frustratingly, voters today cannot hold lawmakers accountable for their failure to work constructively across party lines to start solving these major problems. Because the Legislature draws their own districts and, essentially chooses their own voters, 99 % of incumbents are reelected to office.  As a result, they have very little incentive to be responsive to constituent concerns or make tough policy decisions – and they remain beholden to special interests, rather than voters.

That is why a growing number of good government groups, seniors, community groups and small businesses have joined together to help fix this broken system by sponsoring Proposition 11 to finally give power back to voters - where it belongs.

How Will Proposition 11 Improve California's Redistricting System?

Proposition 11 will create a 14-member independent citizen commission to redraw state legislative district lines based on strict non-partisan rules. Unlike the current process, the Proposition 11 will ensure that the redistricting process is open and transparent and will respect existing city and county boundaries and communities of interest. It will exclude 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.

How Will Proposition 11 Ensure that Qualified People with Diverse Backgrounds Are Appointed to the Citizen Redistricting Commission?

Beginning January 2010 and every ten years thereafter, the California State Auditor will initiate an application process open to registered voters in a manner that “promotes a diverse and qualified applicant process.”  This could mean advertising in newspapers or other publications in communities, professions, etc.  

From this group of applicants, persons with conflicts of interest will be removed by the Auditor, and a three person auditor panel will pick 60 finalists, 20 Democrats, 20 Republicans and 20 others. This group is submitted to legislative leadership and they can strike 8 from each group of 20. The Auditor will then chose eight commissioners from this group and the 8 commissioners will choose the final 6 for a total of 14.

Potential commission members could include university professors, CPAs, physicians, nurses, engineers, community advocates, teachers and more. There are also provisions in the initiative requiring the Commission to represent the state's significant diversity, including ethnic and regional considerations.

Who Appoints the Auditor and How Is the Auditor Qualified to Oversee Creation of the Proposition 11 Redistricting Commission?

The State Auditor is appointed by the Governor from a list of three candidates chosen by a joint legislative committee.

Under California law, the Legislature, through its bipartisan, bicameral Joint Legislative Audit Committee, nominates three qualified individuals to be State Auditor after a majority vote of the committee membership from each house of the Legislature. This list is then submitted to the Governor who appoints the State Auditor to a four-year term. The State Auditor is chosen without reference to party affiliation and solely on the ground of fitness to perform the duties of the office.

Prior to selection, the State Auditor must possess a combination of education and experience in auditing and management to be deemed qualified to serve.

What is the Rationale for the Redistricting Commission Structure?

In the past, Republicans were a greater part of California's population, now Democrats are. As the population changes, the commission should be kept as fair as possible, thus the direct split between the two major parties with a representation by others not affiliated with any party.

How Many Commission Votes Are Needed to Approve District Maps?

Nine votes are needed to approve the final district maps - 3 Democrats, 3 Republicans, 3 other. If the commission is unable to achieve the nine votes needed to approve the district maps, the Secretary of State will immediately petition the California Supreme Court to appoint a special master to finalize the maps in accordance with the criteria in the initiative.

How Will Communities of Interest be Protected Under Proposition 11 Redistricting Rules?

Right now cities such as Long Beach, San Jose and Fresno are divided into as many as 4 oddly shaped districts- all designed to protect incumbent legislators.  Similarly, communities and counties have also been divided and grouped into strange districts.  

Districts that cut up counties, cities and communities leave voters with no political voice and no election choice.  By respecting communities, cities and counties, Proposition 11 will ensure that voters have a greater political voice to demand that the issues important to us are addressed by the people we choose to elect.

Proposition 11 also protects communities of interest by stating that the districts shall comply with the Federal Voting Rights Act and ensure that “the geographic integrity of any city, county, neighborhood, or community of interest shall be respected.”

How Will Citizens Have a Voice in the Redistricting Process?

Unlike the current, secretive and self-serving system, Proposition 11 will put into place an open and transparent redistricting process. The initiative states that “the commission must establish and implement an open hearing process for public input and deliberation that shall be subject to public notice and promoted through a thorough outreach program to solicit broad public participation in the redistricting public review process.”

Will Democrats or Republicans Lose or Gain Seats Under this Initiative?

Proposition 11 is not about the power of political parties, it is about bringing about positive change in the state, giving voters a voice, holding elected official accountable
and finally drawing fair legislative districts. The fact is however, that California now has more Democratic voters and the Democratic Party will likely control both houses of the Legislature for the foreseeable future.

Did a Certain Political Party Sponsor Proposition 11?  

No, Proposition 11 is sponsored by a diverse group of good government groups and seniors. California Common Cause, AARP, and the League of Women Voters of California worked for two years on the drafting of this initiative and are the key proponents. Governor Schwarzenegger announced his support for this broad-based bi-partisan effort well after it was written.  Supporters also include the ACLU of Southern California, the State Democratic Council and many other individuals and organizations including Democrats, Republicans and bi-partisan groups across California.

Is this a Plan to Put More Republicans in Office?

Well-respected organizations like the League of Women Voters of California, AARP and California Common Cause would be very unlikely to create this initiative if it would result in an unfair power grab by either party. Proposition 11 is supported by Democrats and Republicans alike, including the California Democratic Council, the ACLU of Southern California, and local Democratic and Republican clubs.

This is not a power grab by either party – it is a VOTER power grab that will finally give voters a voice and help make our state elected officials more accountable.

Is Proposition 11 Consistent with the Federal Voting Right Act?

Absolutely. The initiative language states clearly in Section 1, d (1) that “Districts shall comply with the federal Voting Rights Act.” This will put adherence to the Voting Rights Act right into our state constitution, something that currently does not exist.  

Why Wasn't Congress Included in the Initiative?

Proposition 11 includes specific language that requires Congressional districts to be fairly drawn by the Legislature in accordance with the new standards set forth in the initiative.

 

Paid for by Yes on 11 - Hold Politicians Accountable, a coalition of consumer, senior, public interest, taxpayer, community and business groups and leaders, Charles Munger, Jr. and Brian Harvey