Redistricting proposals for California


The way we elect both Representatives and members of the State Assembly is currently under close inspection. A number of competing proposals have been floated by the governor and members of the legislature, and some may appear on the special-election ballot this November.

I confess to not having carefully analyzed all the proposals, so this entry is essentially a placeholder to raise consciousness of the issue, solicit any information anyone wants to send me, and remind myself to follow up.

From the Merc today:
Members of California's Republican House delegation fear they could lose seats under some plans. Democrats are wary too, suspecting Schwarzenegger of following the lead of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, whose redistricting plan in Texas cost four Democratic incumbents their jobs in November.

Backing from Common Cause, which works on redistricting initiatives around the country, could add legitimacy to Schwarzenegger's effort.


Common Cause is a nonpartisan governmental reform group based in DC, where Arnold is today. He is seeking their endorsement for his flavor of redistricting. I have no idea to what extend Common Cause will insist on entertaining advocates for competing proposals. (This just in: The dishonest way in which Arnold will try to get a veneer of legitimacy for his proposal by exploiting Common Cause is detailed in today's top blog entry at ArnoldWatch.org).

This is hugely important — if you don't believe me, just look at what happened in Texas, where a completely partisan redistricting effort accounted for basically all of the Republican gains in the House last November. That's one reason why I'm not just wading in and blabbering with my first impressions.

I plan to provide some kind of overall summary of the various proposals within a week or so. Like I said, if anyone has documents or web pages they'd like to draw to my attention in the meantime, you are hereby exhorted to do so.

Posted: Thu - February 17, 2005 at 09:11 AM   | Category:     |   |   | |


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