1. California’s Independent Redistricting Movement

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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)

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

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