Redistricting

Redistricting Reform: Road Map to Nowhere?

Articles — Sun, 31 Jul 2005 02:00:00 -0400

Redistricting reform in California has become a roller coaster ride. Ever since Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger launched his effort last January for a mid-decade redistricting by a panel of retired judges, the ups and downs have been dizzying as the governor and Legislature have tried to outmaneuver each other.

In the latest downward dip of the roller coaster, recently a state court threw Proposition 77, the governor's vehicle for redistricting reform, off the ballot due to a clerical mistake--the proponents sent the wrong version to the printer!

If you feel like you are being whipped around, you have company. To make matters… more

The Future of California's Democracy

Communications — Thu, 24 Feb 2005 15:00:00 -0500

A New America Event
02/24/2005 - 12:02pm

The half-day conference highlighted arguments and expert analysis surrounding recent proposals for redistricting and other electoral reforms. Distinguished panelists --including Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and Assembly Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy -- previewed the upcoming public debate and discussed the performance and priorities of the California Legislature.

Schwarzenegger vs. Gerrymander

Articles — Sat, 19 Feb 2005 03:00:00 -0500

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger visited Washington this week in part to solicit support for his proposal to change the way California draws its legislative districts. His efforts are commendable, and his plan won an endorsement from Common Cause, the government watchdog group. But his plan is unlikely to achieve his goals because it does not account for the realities of California's demographic landscape.

Governor Schwarzenegger and others are proposing that redistricting be taken out of the hands of the incumbents and given to an independent body, like a panel of impartial retired judges. Yet several states already use independent commissions, and… more

Consider Alternate Systems of Voting

Articles — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 03:00:00 -0500

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is right. California needs a government that's less partisan and better reflects the many voices in its diverse population. The disconnect between the government and the governed threatens the state's ability to solve its problems and plan for the future.

But there are better ways for the governor to solve the redistricting problem than allowing retired judges to redraw the boundaries for political districts, as he proposed in his State of the State speech Wednesday. California's single-seat, winner-take-all election system is just one among many models used by democracies around the world. And some methods are certainly… more