California’s Independent Redistricting Movement

Redistricting in America What is Redistricting? Redrawing of election districts every 10 years, generally tied to US Census, to ensure equal population Why redistrict? Ensure “fair and effective representation” Pre-Reynolds v Sims (US 1964): LA County (pop. 6 mil.): 1 Senator Inyo, Mono, Alpine Counties (pop. 14k): 1 Senator Who Redistricts? Rest of the World: Commission or Nonpartisan Staff USA: Traditionally, State Legislature

Gerrymandering’s Threat to Democracy Gerrymandering: abuse of the redistricting process to accomplish political ends North Carolina Example 2018 Elections: GOP receives 50.3% of the vote… But wins 10 of 13 (77%) Congressional seats Rep. Lewis: “I propose that we draw the maps to give a partisan advantage to 10 Republicans and three Democrats, because I do not believe it’s possible to draw a map with 11 Republicans and two Democrats.” National Implications Brennan Center: 72% of seats changing hands in 2018 drawn by Court/Commission

CA’s History with Gerrymandering 1980s – Democratic Gerrymander Dem-GOP advantage in CA Congressional Delegation: Pre-Redistricting: +1 Post-Redistricting: +11 1990s – Court Redistricting More competition: Assembly control switched party hands - twice

CA’s History with Gerrymandering 2000s – Bipartisan Gerrymander Little Party Competition: of 255 congressional races between 2000 and 2010: only 1 changed hands Incumbency Protection at the expense of Communities

Proposition 11: Citizen Redistricting Proposition 11 (2008): Independent Commission Guiding Philosophy: Proposition 11 Findings: “Allowing politicians to draw their own districts is a serious conflict of interest that harms voters.” Key Elements: Open application process, rigorous screening of commissioners Bipartisan, 14 Member Citizens Commission: 5 Dem, 5 GOP, 4 Other Multiple hearings Ranked, mandatory criteria (and ban on gerrymandering)

Proposition 11: Citizen Redistricting Independent Appointment Process: Open application process Applicant Screening 60-member Subpool Legislative strikes Random Selection of 8 commissioners Commission self-selection of final 6 commissioners.

Proposition 11: Citizen Redistricting Results: PPIC: “The final plans ... avoid partisan gerrymandering with the districts ... [and gerrymandering] with the placement of incumbents in those districts.” Districts split fewer cities and communities More competitive districts More compact districts

Popularity of Independent Redistricting In California: Prop. 11 (2008) – create Commission: 51% YES Prop. 27 (2010) – repeal Commission: 59% NO Prop. 20 (2010) – extend to Congress: 61% YES Prop. 40 (2012) – keep Senate districts: 71% YES In California, Locally: Local Independent Commissions, pre-2008: 2 Local Independent Commissions, today: 14 Nationally: 9 citizen commissions

Applying to be on CA’s Commission Application Period: June 10, 2019 – August 9, 2019 More information & apply: https://shapecaliforniasfuture.auditor.ca.gov Common Cause + Coalition CA Redistricting Kickoff: June 8, 1-4pm, San Jose, CA. tinyurl.com/CARedistricting