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Proposition 11: Redistricting
Kelly Enos
Issue date: 10/30/08 Section: Voter's Guide
Proposition 11, if passed, would change authority for establishing Assembly, Senate and Board of Equalization district boundaries from elected representatives to 14-member commissions. It requires government auditors to select 60 registered voters from an applicant pool and permits legislative leaders to reduce that pool. The auditors would then pick eight commission members by lottery and those commissioners would pick six additional members, making 14 total. It requires five Democrats, five Republicans and four of neither party, with the commission hiring lawyers and consultants as needed. Currently, legislative districts are drawn and chosen by the state legislature.
Dan Mitchell, representative for Yes on Prop 11:
"California students are looking for the state legislature to address big issues such as education, housing, health care and the environment. Far too often, the politicians fail to act, like with the recent budget gridlock. Prop. 11 would remove the conflict of interest
of allowing legislators to draw their own district lines. By taking the redistricting responsibility out of the legislature, voters would be able to hold their politicians accountable for their inaction in Sacramento. Prop. 11 is supported by the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, AARP, California Chamber of Commerce, NAACP, major newspapers and thousands of other organizations and individuals."
Paul Hefner, representative for No on Prop 11:
"The Spartan Daily should oppose Prop. 11 because it's poorly written, confusing and unfair. Prop. 11 turns the power of redistricting over to just 14 people, chosen through a bizarre process that reeks of politics and won't give most communities any voice in redistricting. Prop. 11 excludes more than 3 million young and occasional voters from participating in redistricting - all to serve the hidden agenda of the politicians and special interests funding their campaign."
Dan Mitchell, representative for Yes on Prop 11:
"California students are looking for the state legislature to address big issues such as education, housing, health care and the environment. Far too often, the politicians fail to act, like with the recent budget gridlock. Prop. 11 would remove the conflict of interest
of allowing legislators to draw their own district lines. By taking the redistricting responsibility out of the legislature, voters would be able to hold their politicians accountable for their inaction in Sacramento. Prop. 11 is supported by the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, AARP, California Chamber of Commerce, NAACP, major newspapers and thousands of other organizations and individuals."
Paul Hefner, representative for No on Prop 11:
"The Spartan Daily should oppose Prop. 11 because it's poorly written, confusing and unfair. Prop. 11 turns the power of redistricting over to just 14 people, chosen through a bizarre process that reeks of politics and won't give most communities any voice in redistricting. Prop. 11 excludes more than 3 million young and occasional voters from participating in redistricting - all to serve the hidden agenda of the politicians and special interests funding their campaign."
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