On October 23, 2007, California Common Cause joined with AARP and the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce to file a redistricting reform initiative with the Attorney General's office. California Voters FIRST will create a truly independent and open citizen's commission to draw legislative districts, putting an end to political gerrymandering and ensuring cities and communities FIRST.
Please Click Here for the Official California Voters FIRST Website.
Attend one of our Volunteer Workshops! Click here to learn more.
How you can help!
About California Voters FIRST
How you can help!
Do you want a T-Shirt showing your support for California Voters FIRST? Do you know of an upcoming event that’d be great for gather petition signatures? Or do you have a few friends who want to sign our petition? Click here to learn about all the ways YOU can help us put the California Voters FIRST initiative on the ballot!
We have until April 30th to gather 1 million signatures!
We also need help paying for petitions and spreading the word! Click here to donate to the California Voters FIRST campaign!
Endorse California Voters FIRST! Click here to endorse California Voters FIRST!
Click Here to Help Put California Voters FIRST!
Information about California Voters FIRST
Click here to read the California Voters FIRST initiative.
California Voters FIRST
November 2008 Redistricting Initiative Summary
I. Background: What is redistricting?
- Every 10 years, after the census, the CA State Legislature draws new district lines for Congress and CA Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization.
- The Legislature holds hearings to receive public input, but then goes behind closed doors to make the real deals.
- The end result is “safe” districts for incumbents, protected from any competition, and comprised of the demographics they choose.
II. California Voters FIRST Overview: Create a Citizens Redistricting Commission
- 14-Person Redistricting Commission (5 Democrats/5 Republicans/4 other).
- Politically balanced among Democrats, Republicans, and others (other parties and decline to state).
- Reflects our State’s ethnic, gender, and demographic diversity.
III. How is the Commission Chosen?
- California registered voters invited to participate.
- A pool of 60 (20D, 20R, 20o) is selected based on relevant analytical skills, ability to be impartial, and diversity by a review panel of state auditors (1D/1R/1o randomly selected by the California State Auditor).
- The 4 Legislative leaders can each disqualify up to 2 in each category, resulting in a pool of at least 12 Democrats, 12 Republicans and 12 others.
- 8 Commissioners are named through random drawing of the State Auditor (3D/3R/3o).
- The 8 Commissions select the final 6 Commissioners (2D/2R/2o) from the remaining pool in order to complement the balance of skills and diversity.
IV. Mapping Criteria (in ranked order)
- Districts shall comply with the US Constitution, including equal population requirements.
- Districts shall comply with the Voting Rights Act.
- Districts shall be geographically contiguous.
- The geographic integrity of any city, county, or city and county, neighborhoods, or communities of interest shall be respected. Communities of interest shall not be defined as relations with incumbents, candidates, or parties.
- Districts shall be compact.
- To the extent possible, after the above criteria have been satisfied, districts shall be nested.
Incumbent residences may not be considered; districts may not be drawn to protect incumbents.
V. Adoption of a Plan
- 9 members shall represent a quorum.
- 9 votes shall be required for any official action.
- 9 votes (3D/3R/3o) are required to adopt a plan.
- The Commission shall complete redistricting by a date-certain - September 30, XX11.
- The final redistricting plan shall be subject to referendum.
VI. Scope
- Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization seats will be drawn by the Commission in the next redistricting, 2011.
- Congressional seats will be drawn by the state legislature, following the same mapping criteria and hearing requirements as the Commission.
Click herefor a more detailed, two page summary.
Click here for more information about how YOU can help put California Voters FIRST!
Check back soon for more updates on the California Voters FIRST initiative!
|
