Redistricting Reform in California: Proposition 11 on the November 2008 California Ballot

Publication Date: October 2008

Publisher: Center for Governmental Studies

Author(s): Sasha Horwitz

Research Area: Politics

Keywords: Redistricting; California ; elections

Type: Report

Coverage: United States California

Abstract:

Redistricting Reform in California: Proposition 11 on the November 2008 California Ballot makes five key findings. First, the independent commission is likely to be more ethnically diverse than the legislature’s redistricting committees. Second, the independent commission will be more balanced between Republicans, Democrats and members of neither major party. Third, the independent commission will be more open to public input than legislative committees. Fourth, the districts created by the independent commission will almost certainly be more competitive than districts created by the legislature. Finally, the independent commission will almost certainly produce maps through a process that has improved transparency and public access.