Gerrymandering in California is approved by the Justice Department

Los Angeles Examiner (CA) - Wednesday, January 18, 2012

2012 is the year of the gerrymandering. Gerrymandering is the process of redistricting areas in a state so the incumbent will be protected from losing in their next election. This is a major problem in the south due to the growing population in the Hispanic community. One example of a southern state is the state of Texas, but why is California given a free pass from the Justice Department? 

Texas Gerrymandering 

Texas has seen a dramatic increase in the states population, the majority of the growing population are Hispanic. The Hispanic people could be a major force when voting in Texas, but southerners see this as a problem. Texas is considered old money and these people will do anything to protect their gains. 

The 2010 census concluded that Texas gain more seat in Congress. The gains came in areas that are largely Hispanic. The biggest fear in the state of Texas is this state could soon turn Democrat in the next 15-20 years. In order to maintain the status quo, the state must use gerrymandering. 

Is this right for the Hispanic community in Texas? Redrawing the lines so Hispanic votes are disenfranchised should be unconstitutional. 

Lately the Justice Department has taken a look at these state gerrymandering. The US Attorney General Eric Holder is challenging redistricting in Texas. The Daily Texan explain: 

This would seem to be good news for the Hispanic population in the state of Texas, but this is big oil country. They pay people in Washington top dollars to get their way. By mid-2012 the Justice Department will rule on if it's constitutional or not. 

California Gerrymandering 

In California the new California commission decided to redraw four counties. This was the first time the commission had a chance to redraw the lines after the citizens voted to take the job away from the Legislature in hopes of getting less gerrymandered. 

The counties that were redrawn were: Kings, Merced, Monterey and Yuba. These counties were under scrutiny because of concerns about past violations of the federal Voting Rights Act. The maps required approval by the Justice Department. 

The Justice Department approved the redistricting of these counties in mid-January 2012. 

This was a major victory for the citizens commission of California. Gerrymandering in California was becoming a major problem. The people felt Republicans were drawing the lines to protect their own. 

This is a different situation in California than Texas. The citizens of California redrew the lines while in Texas the legislators did the work for the people. The people in California came, saw, and change the election map for the better. 

The Republican party is California disagree with the changes as the LATimes explain: 

This is not shocking considering in every Republican state they're trying to take away god give rights, but this is the modern-day Republican party...