Two years after California voters took away state legislature’s
duties of drawing district lines, the California Citizens
Redistricting Commission has put forth their final draft that could
become law before the November 2012 elections.
Two years after California voters took away state legislature’s duties of drawing district lines, the California Citizens Redistricting Commission has put forth their final draft that could become law before the November 2012 elections.
The new and finalized maps redraw lines for the California State Senate, Assembly, Congressional districts as well as the Board of Equalization. Districts were redrawn from scratch and not renumbered.
Morgan Hill now finds itself in newly labeled State Senate District 17, Congressional District 19, State Assembly 30 and Board of Equalization District 2. State Senate District 17 extends down the coast to Pismo Beach. Assembly District 30 now incorporates Morgan Hill with Gilroy, Hollister and Salinas and extends past King City to the San Antonio Reservoir area. The new Congressional District 19 puts Morgan Hill with not only Gilroy and San Martin and parts of San Jose.
Terry Christensen, a political science professor at San Jose State University, said the last time districts were redrawn in 2001, Morgan Hill was gerrymandered to not be included with the rest of Santa Clara County.
“Now, it’s integrated with districts that are more in common and it can really affect the extent to which a group of voters are paid attention to by their elected officials,” Christensen said.
Morgan Hill Mayor Steve Tate said putting Morgan Hill with the rest of Santa Clara County and connect it with Gilroy and San Martin, will benefit the city.
“With the economy and the way its been going, we’ve been trying to work closely with the local government,” Tate said. “That’s difficult to do when you’re separated with your neighbor. Putting us with Gilroy would be much more conducive with working with them.”
Proposition 11, passed by voters in November 2008, authorized the creation of the California Redistricting Commission with rights to draw state senate and assembly lines. Proposition 20, passed in November 2010, extended the rights of the commission to draw congressional boundaries.
The Commission is made up of 14 members: five Republicans, five Democrats and four unaffiliated. Allowing the commission to take redistricting power out of the Legislature’s hands makes sure the Legislature isn’t able to protect their own interests, said James Lee, president of the Lee Strategy Group and former press secretary to Governor Pete Wilson.
“Even though it’s a mundane process, the ramifications are tremendous,” said Lee.
The redrawn districts now more so reflect the state of California, and a move to a more Democratic and Hispanic population in the Legislature will be reflective of future policies to be enacted, said Lee.
Commissioner Vincent Barabba assured citizens that the maps adopted did not consider incumbents, potential candidates and political party registration.
“I know there are some who may be unsatisfied by the maps the commission has drawn,” said Barabba at a Aug.15 press conference. “I ask them to take a fresh look of the totality of all the districts, from the perspective of how these maps benefit the entire state of California.”
Those not content with those redrawn lines have issued a referendum.
California’s Secretary of State Debra Bowen announced last week the referendum titled “Redistricting. State Senate Districts. Referendum.” Filed by proponent Julie Vandermost, an Orange County development consultant, it may threaten the approved voting districts. The referendum needs 504,760 petition signatures by Nov. 13, 2011 in order to qualify for the next statewide ballot and prevent the maps from taking effect unless approved by voters.
