Mapping California's future

You can participate in a once-in-a-decade opportunity to map California’s future.

For decades, the state Legislature designed the districts from which we elect our representatives to the Legislature and Congress. The result? A series of gerrymanders that protected parties and incumbents while ignoring community interests.

In the 2001 redistricting process, Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature created safe seats for every incumbent. In the 2004 election, not a single legislative or congressional seat changed party affiliation. Organizations like the League of Women Voters are determined that, in 2011, district maps will not be politically manipulated to the advantage those currently in office.

In 2008, the people of California put a stop to this kind of disregard for the voters and their communities by passing Proposition 11, the Voters First Act. Now the responsibility for drawing new district maps for the state Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization will go to 14 voters chosen to serve on California’s First Citizens Redistricting Commission. With a state as big and diverse as California, who draws the lines — and how those lines are drawn — truly will shape the future of our state. The commission gives this power to real people — political candidates, lobbyists and big political donors can’t serve.

The commission will be made up of five Democrats, five Republicans, and four members from neither party, so every view will be heard. Commissioners must be qualified citizens who have not changed political party affiliation for a minimum of five years and have voted in at least two of the last three statewide general elections. In addition, there are a number of eligibility limitations in order to prevent conflicts of interest, such as not having served as an elected official or appointed member of a political party or central committee. Commissioners are appointed for a term of 10 years; nevertheless, the vast majority of their work will be from January to September 2011. Key qualifications that commission applicants will be judged on include the ability to be impartial, relevant analytical skills, and an appreciation for the state’s diverse demographics and geography.

You may be one of the right people to do this job — or you may know someone who is. How do you get involved or encourage others to? It’s easy to apply: go to www.WeDraw

The.Lines.ca.gov. Applications are being accepted through Feb. 12. You’ll also find much more information at www.commoncause.org/re-

districtingCA.

This article was submitted by Linda Herman, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Section: Local News
Record Number: 1d455f4339535b852946c827ba0aa6c9b5e167
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