Prepared by: Lake Research Partners 1000 BROADWAY SUITE 294 OAKLAND, CA PHONE: FAX: M St., NW SUITE 500 WASHINGTON, DC PHONE: FAX: Survey Findings on Redistricting Reform in California This redistricting poll is supported in part by The James Irvine Foundation

Redistricting in California Page 2 Summary Description of Methods  Interview dates: April 18-23, 2006  800 interviews from a random sample of voters in California, margin of error +/- 3.5%  Party Registration Breakdown: 45% Democrat, 39% Republican, 16% Decline to state/Other.  Racial Breakdown: 66% White, 16% Latino, 7% African- American, 5% Asian, 5% other.

Redistricting in California Page 3 By a 3-to-1 margin, California voters prefer redistricting be done by an independent commission. Would you rather have redistricting conducted by the State Legislature, or an independent commission?

Redistricting in California Page 4 While Republican and Independent voters are most supportive, a majority of Democrats also prefer an independent commission. Would you rather have redistricting conducted by the State Legislature, or an independent commission? State Leg. Ind. Comm.

Redistricting in California Page 5 Majorities of white, Latino, and African American voters prefer an independent commission. Would you rather have redistricting conducted by the State Legislature, or an independent commission? State Leg. Ind. Comm.

Redistricting in California Page 6 There is a solid preference for an independent commission across the state. The strongest preference is seen in Fresno and Sacramento. Would you rather have redistricting conducted by the State Legislature, or an independent commission? State Leg. Ind. Comm.

Redistricting in California Page 7 A plurality of voters in the sample voted against Prop. 77 in I ’ d like to talk for a second about last year ’ s special election in California, where voters considered several ballot initiatives. One of them, Proposition 77, would have amended the process for redistricting California ’ s Senate, Assembly, and Congressional districts. It required a panel of three judges, selected by legislative leaders, to adopt a new redistricting plan. Do you recall whether you voted for or against Proposition 77 – the redistricting initiative?

Redistricting in California Page 8 Even those who voted NO on Prop. 77 support the concept of an independent redistricting commission. Would you rather have redistricting conducted by the State Legislature, or an independent commission? State Leg. Ind. Comm.

Redistricting in California Page 9 The most important criteria for members of the commission are having no lobbyists, having a partisan balance, and no current elected officials. Now, suppose for a minute that the law was changed so that California ’ s legislative district lines would be drawn by an independent commission. This commission would be made up of a panel of individuals. I would like to read you a list of characteristics this group could have. For each characteristic I read to you, I would like you to rank it on a scale of 0 to 5, where 0 means that characteristic is not important at all, and 5 means that characteristic is very important. If you are not sure, please say so. Mean 85% 83% 75% 72% 71%

Redistricting in California Page 10 Voters feel less strongly about members of the commission having experience in redistricting or never having held political office. Now, suppose for a minute that the law was changed so that California ’ s legislative district lines would be drawn by an independent commission. This commission would be made up of a panel of individuals. I would like to read you a list of characteristics this group could have. For each characteristic I read to you, I would like you to rank it on a scale of 0 to 5, where 0 means that characteristic is not important at all, and 5 means that characteristic is very important. If you are not sure, please say so. Mean 70% 65% 58% 51% 41% B25 [29% Less Important]

Redistricting in California Page 11 Voters favor considerable public involvement in the drawing of district maps. They also strongly support keeping neighborhoods and cities together. Now, turning to the actual district maps that could be drawn by an independent redistricting commission. Here are some different standards that a commission could use to draw district lines. For each, tell me if it is a very important, somewhat important, a little important, or not at all important standard to consider in drawing district lines.

Redistricting in California Page 12 Voters are moderately supportive of compactness and competitiveness as redistricting criteria. Voters do not value drawing lines so that incumbents don’t have to run against each other. Now, turning to the actual district maps that could be drawn by an independent redistricting commission. Here are some different standards that a commission could use to draw district lines. For each, tell me if it is a very important, somewhat important, a little important, or not at all important standard to consider in drawing district lines.

Redistricting in California Page 13 Men and women have similar priorities, with women rating more highly the need to keep neighborhoods and cities together. % Total Imp. (%Very Imp.)

Redistricting in California Page 14 Voters of all races choose public input and keeping neighborhoods or cities together as top redistricting criteria. % Total Imp. (%Very Imp.)

Redistricting in California Page 15 Democrats and Independents are strong supporters of public involvement. % Total Imp. (%Very Imp.)

Redistricting in California Page 16 With 93% of anti-Prop. 77 voters saying public hearings are important, it should be noted that these voters want to be more involved in the process. % Total Imp. (%Very Imp.)

Redistricting in California Page 17 If the State Legislature has to play a role, 75% of voters prefer an indirect role. Let us suppose that the State Legislature, for constitutional reasons, would have to play a role in this process. Regarding this role, with which of the following FOUR statements would you say best describes your view? A) The legislature should directly choose the members of a independent redistricting commission. B) A list of pre-screened, qualified nominees should be presented to the legislature by an outside group. The Legislature would then be allowed to strike candidates from that list, but not to add any candidates. C) A list of pre-screened, qualified nominees should be presented to the legislature by an outside group. The Legislature would then be allowed to choose the final commission members from that list D) Each party in the legislature should select members representing the opposite party – that is, the Democrats choose Republicans to sit on the commission, and the Republicans choose Democrats to sit on the commission. 75%

Redistricting in California Page 18 Contact Information This survey by Lake Research Partners was sponsored by: California Common Cause ( Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1005 Los Angeles, CA (213) th Street, Ste. C Sacramento, CA (916) Contact: Kathay Feng, Executive Director League of Women Voters of California ( Jacqueline Jacobberger, President th Street, Suite 220 Sacramento, CA (916) Contact: Trudy Schafer, Program Director The Rose Institute (rose.research.claremontmckenna.edu) Adams Hall, 340 E. Ninth Street Claremont, CA (909) Contact: Douglas Johnson, Rose Institute Fellow This report can be downloaded at