Jim Brosnahan, one of the lawyers who argued for the Commission, said “These fourteen citizens have done a tremendous job in a selfless and objective way and have created a precedent that not only enriches the California political system but may be used in other states in the years ahead.”

joint letter to Redistricting Commission re recommendations for future 1 17 12.pdf

Greetings,

I thought you might be interested in this small selection of articles about redistricting I’ve included from the latest issue of Urban Habitat’s national journal Race, Poverty & the Environment. (You can also read them online at http://urbanhabitat.org/18-2/redistricting-voting.)

In my piece http://urbanhabitat.org/18-2/galambos-malloy , “A Commissioner’s Perspective on California’s Redistricting,” I offer a firsthand account of how our Commission hosted hearings around the state, balanced feedback from a diverse cross-section of California communities with the voter-approved set of legal criteria, and engaged the public at every step of the transparent deliberations. This stands in stark contrast to the history of redistricting in California and other states.

Other articles in the selection discuss national trends and new opportunities for local communities to reshape their own city councils, school boards, and special districts. Feel free to post and forward the articles to others who might be interested. If you do reprint or publish the pieces, please get in touch with RP&E editor Jess Clarke at editor@urbanhabit.org to aid us in tracking them.

As you may know, the Citizens Redistricting Commission continues to defend our maps against legal challenges. On Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, we made strong arguments to the State Supreme Court against a partisan challenge to our State Senate district maps. Republican Party representatives argued that their referendum to overturn the Commission’s State Senate district maps was likely to qualify and asked the court to appoint masters to draw new districts or use the maps drawn in 2001.

Results from the counties make it clear that the referendum doesn’t come close to having enough signatures to avoid a hand count. The Commission’s view is that absent clear evidence, it would survive a hand count and that the people’s will should not be overturned.

I’m happy to answer any questions on redistricting. Please get in touch with me at connie.galambos-malloy@crc.ca.gov.

Best,

Connie Galambos Malloy, Commissioner

California Citizens Redistricting Commission Senior Director of Programs Urban Habitat

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Attached:

A Commissioner’s Perspective on California’s Redistricting By Connie Galambos Malloy

Connie Galambos Malloy is senior director of programs at Urban Habitat and the publisher of RP&E. She also serves as a Commissioner with the California Citizens Redistricting Commission.

California Redistricting Preserves Black Voice in State Politics By Marqueece Harris-Dawson

Marqueece Harris-Dawson is president and CEO of Community Coalition.

Voting Rights Are Local Rights By Gil Cedillo

Senator Gil Cedillo is author of the California Dream Act and is known for his commitment to passing legislation to allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver’s license. He represents the 46th California State Assembly District.

Redistricting 2011: Latinos Want Stronger Voice Based on Numbers By Arturo Vargas

Arturo Vargas serves as executive director of the NALEO Educational Fund, an affiliated national nonprofit organization that strengthens American democracy by promoting the full participation of Latinos in civic life.

Race-Poverty-Environment-18-2-redistricting.pdf

By John Wildermuth http://www.foxandhoundsdaily.com/author/JohnWildermuth/

Journalist and Political Commentator

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

With partisan gridlock bogging down both Sacramento and Washington, it’s easy to wonder whether Democrats and Republicans can ever get together, look beyond what’s best for their parties and make the tough decisions they were hired to make.

Well, there’s one state body that’s shown multi-partisan, good government agreements still are possible and that’s why the 14 members of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission are my choice for Californians of the Year.

When voters passed Prop. 11 in 2008, they meant to change the ultra-partisan way the state redraws its political boundaries after every Census. For decades, the majority party had run the redistricting process, drawing lines behind closed doors to reward their friends and punish their enemies. In the words of former GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who pushed the reform plan, “We need a system where voters choose the politicians, not where politicians choose the voters.”

Pundits predicted disaster at every turn, from the Rube Goldberg-like method that the members were chosen to the required multi-partisan makeup of the commission and the need for a very specific supermajority to approve the new maps for state Senate, Assembly, Board of Equalization and (thanks to 2010′s Prop. 20) Congress.

But it worked. Between January and July, the commission held dozens of meetings across the state, not only in the usual places like Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles, but in cities like Norco, Hanford, Oxnard and Redding, which are typically little more than names on the map to most state commissions. And then, after coming out with proposed maps, the commission went back on the road to hear the inevitable complaints about their artwork, then used those comments to design their final maps.

By law, the committee was composed of five Democrats, five Republicans and four decline-to-state or minor party voters. Maps could only be approved with at least three votes from each of those groups.

No problem. The final vote on the maps was 12-2 for the congressional map and 13-1 for all the others. Not surprisingly, there were plenty of complaints about the final outcome. Republicans want a referendum to overturn the state Senate maps and plenty of local communities – and politicians – are unhappy with where the new lines fall.

But no decision was ever going to satisfy everyone and even the redistricting losers know they at least had a chance to make their arguments, something that never happened when the politicians were running the show.

The commission members promised transparency in their operations, a wide-ranging effort to let the people of the state be heard and then an honest attempt to look beyond party lines and follow the redistricting guidelines set by California’s voters, regardless of any political fallout.

They did what they promised and they did it on time. A state program that worked as advertised? Make those commissioners Californians of the Year.

Petition filed by Republican-funded Fairness and Accountability in Redistricting (FAIR) in state Supreme Court, the first legal challenge to the CRC maps. FAIR argued that 11 Senate districts violate “compactness” rules, 7 split counties unfairly, and Latino voters in Monterey and Santa Clara counties may not have fair representation. CRC retained Gibson, Dunn, & Crutcher, and George Brown, the same people that worked on the Voting Rights Act counsel, and a team from Morrison & Foerster led by James Brosnahan. FAIR is simultaneously trying to collecting 504,760 signatures by November 14 to force a referendum.

http://www.law.com/jsp/ca/PubArticleCA.jsp?id=1202514641553

“Field Poll: Redistricting Results Not on Voters’ Radars” Ben Goad and Jim Miller for The Press Enterprise

2/3 of Californians unaware or unfamiliar with the new district lines. Of the 34 percent that are aware, more support than oppose the lines drawn by CRC. As of now, FAIR has collected 200,000 of the 505,000 signatures needed for the referendum. “Dave Gilliard, the campaign consultant for the FAIR group, dismissed today’s poll results on voter attitudes toward the Senate lines. “Public polls are worthless,” he said in an email Wednesday.”

http://www.pe.com/localnews/politics/stories/PE_News_Local_D_field22.509 113.html

“House Democrats Push Legislation to Overturn Citizens United Ruling” Mike Lillis for the Hill

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/182729-house-dems-push-bill-to-overtur n-citizens-united-ruling

“A Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United?” Mike Daniels for Secular News Daily

House Joint Resolution 78 introduced by Democrats Donna Edwards and John Conyers would give Congress the right to impose content-neutral restrictions on campaigning expenditures by corporations (i.e. would not protect corporations’ right to unlimited political campaigning) The resolution reads: “Section 1: Nothing in this Constitution shall prohibit Congress and the States from imposing content-neutral regulations and restrictions on the expenditure of funds for political activity by any corporation, limited liability company, or other corporate entity, including but not limited to contributions in support of, or in opposition to, a candidate for public office.”

http://www.secularnewsdaily.com/2011/09/21/a-constitutional-amendment-to -overturn-citizens-united/

Jean Merl for PolitiCal (LA Times blog)

Another group of Republicans may begin petition drive (504,760 signatures in 90 days) to overturn congressional redistricting maps by a citizens commission in addition to the group that began a similar referendum drive to overturn the California Citizens Redistricting Commission’s state Senate maps

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2011/09/opponents-of -new-congressional-district-maps-recently-drawn-by-a-citizens-commission -may-begin-a-petition-drive-for-a-referen.html

“California Members ‘at War’ Over Redistricting”

Jonathan Strong for Roll Call Politics

New district lines have created debate within CA Republicans- Republicans Dreier, Gallegly, Royce, and Miller support the referendum while McCarthy, Campbell, Rohrabacher, and McKeon are opposed to the it, citing that the process would be expensive (the California delegation will not be seeking funds from the National Republican Congressional Committee for the effort and officials in CA are still determining what the ethical guidelines should be for raising the funds, further complicating the issue).

There would be more work to do even if the signatures were gathered and the referendum passed with the voters in Nov. 2012. Plans would be “on hold” until after 2012 elections, if the signatures were gathered in time.

“”The Supreme Court hires special masters to draw lines for the 2012 election,” Gilliard wrote. If the referendum passes, “the Court lines stay in effect for the decade. If the referendum fails, the commission lines go into effect in 2014.”" http://www.rollcall.com/issues/57_26/California_Members_at_War_Over_Redi stricting-208597-1.html http://www.rollcall.com/issues/57_26/California_Members_at_War_Over_Red istricting-208597-1.html>

“New congressional districts sought”

Jacqueline Howard for Hermosa Beach Patch

“If the referendum petition is signed by enough voters, it would prevent the new redistricting boundaries from taking effect unless approved by voters at the next statewide election.”

http://hermosabeach.patch.com/articles/new-congressional-districts-sough t-3 http://hermosabeach.patch.com/articles/new-congressional-districts-soug ht-3>

“Redistricting sparks big-time feuds”

Alex Isenstadt for Politico

Political infighting not exclusive to California parties- independent commissions and their new maps have created an atmosphere of uncertainty that has pitted legislators against their fellow party lawmakers. Conflicts are equally heated in states that have lost districts due to population losses, like Missouri and Louisiana, as they are in states that have gained districts, particularly Texas (4 new seats). Specifically in California, Democrats Howard Berman and Brad Sherman contesting over San Fernando Valley district. There are financial considerations for the redistricting process.

“”Raising money for redistricting isn’t one of those sexy things,” McElwain [GOP consultant, served as NRCC political director during the 2002 Pennsylvania redistricting] said.”

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0911/63211.html http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0911/63211.html

Media Contact:

August 15, 2011

Phillip Ung, pung@commoncause.org, (916) 443-1792

*CALIFORNIA CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION ADOPTED DISTRICT MAPS*

California’s Independent Commission complete Congressional, Legislative and Board of Equalization redistricting

On August 15, 2011, the California Citizens Redistricting Commission (CCRC) voted to adopt its final Congressional, Legislative and Board of Equalization district maps. The vote on the final maps was 13 to 1 on State Assembly, 13 to 1 on State Senate, 13 to 1 on the Board of Equalization and 12 to 2 on the House of Representative maps.

Kathay Feng, Executive Director of California Common Cause stated, “The Commission’s open process of taking public input was in stark contrast to the previous system, when legislators drew their own district lines, often dividing neighborhoods or groups of people simply to benefit themselves. The Citizens Redistricting Commission has held more than 40 public hearings and listened to the testimonies of thousands of citizens to determine the final district lines.”

The new district lines reflect California’s changing demographics and encourage candidates for office to engage with their potential constituencies. Stated Derek Cressman, Western Regional Director of State Operations, “Gone are the days when redistricting was driven by party affiliation and incumbent protection, when over 90% of California’s elected officials could count on landslide wins despite low approval ratings, and districts almost never changed party hands.”

In addition, the new district maps take into consideration California community interests by keeping neighborhoods and similar populations intact. Neighborhoods such as Los Angeles’ Watts and Koreatown, which had been historically split, are kept whole.

Said Feng, “The extensive testimony from communities across California has shown that redistricting reform has the great potential to engage people in shaping our democracy.”

As amended by Propositions 11 and 20, the California Constitution requires the Commission to draw district maps that have equal populations, comply with the Voting Rights Act, and abide by a list of mapping criteria designed to provide fair representation for all Californians.

*### * ****

* If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Kathay Feng, please call Phillip Ung at 213/252-4552 or email pung@commoncause.org *

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2011/08/senator-calderon-to-challenge-for-congressional-seat.html

“In a matchup between two high-profile Democrats, state Sen. Ron Calderon of Montebello said Tuesday he plans to challenge seven-term incumbent Grace Napolitano of Norwalk in next year’s election for her redrawn 38th Congressional District.”

Modesto Bee- “Redistricting map on Turlock agenda: Council to focus on proposed placement”

http://www.modbee.com/2011/08/08/1808294/redistricting-map-on-turlock-agenda.html

City officials in Turlock said that it makes more sense to keep the city in a state senate district with other Northern San Joaquin Valley communities. As the CRC maps stand, Turlock would become part of the 8th District, “sharing a senator with several foothills communities in an area that stretches to Rancho Cordova.”

Mario Conde, Tribune Weekly Chronicle- “Redistricting Map Complete, Shifts Assembly, Senate and Congress Seats”

http://tribwekchron.com/2011/08/redistricting-map-complete-shifts-assembly-congress-seats/

“Imperial County will remain part of Riverside at the State Assembly and will now be the 56 District. Manuel Perez will remain as the Assembly member for this district and for the Imperial Valley. The original proposal was to align Imperial Valley to El Cajon in the Assembly and the State Senate. County Board Chairman Jack Terrazas went and spoke before the commission and asked them to keep Imperial since they have many issues in common such as agriculture, water, and the Salton Sea. Terrazas also asked the congressional district to be kept with south San Diego and the border since they need to deal with border trade issues. The 51st Congressional District will stay the same but it will now include Imperial Beach. Congressman Bob Filner (D-Chula Vista) decided to step down from his congressional seat in order to run for San Diego Mayor next year. Rumors began circulating last week that former State Senator Denise Moreno-Ducheny could be running for congress now that Imperial Beach was added to the congressional District. The 40th State Senate District has a couple of changes now that the new map does not include the city of residence of State Senator Juan Vargas but Ham says he could continue to serve as the 40th District Senator by moving into to the area. Vargas filed to run for Congress in the 51st Congressional District but does not live in the congressional area either. Ham said that is not required for a candidate for congress to live in the area they intend to run for.”

Vanessa Castaneda, Menlo Park Patch- “Controversial Bridge Source of Redistricting Change?”

http://menlopark.patch.com/articles/controversial-bridge-source-of-redistricting-change

“Proposed congressional boundaries place East Menlo Park in a different congressional district than the rest of Menlo Park. Gerrymandering suspected after noticing that the boundary is drawn around the Ringwood Pedestrian Bridge.”

Mark Powell, Hollister Free Lance- “Redistricting proposal shakes things up in 28th”

http://hollisterfreelance.com/news/278076-redistricting-proposal-shakes-things-up-in-28th

“In the proposed state senate boundaries, Gilroy would be in the same region as Watsonville, Santa Cruz and other cities, extending as far south down the coastline as San Luis Obispo.

Beyond a numeric name changes, alterations are also due to the assembly boundaries, as Gilroy and communities south of San Jose are isolated from the heart of Silicon Valley and much of Santa Clara County.

In a proposed congressional map, a sliver-like district shared by Gilroy, Los Gatos and Santa Clara goes away, as Gilroy joins Morgan Hill and San Jose yet is split geographically. Gilroy’s eastern half in the suggested map will split off, joining Watsonville and Santa Cruz in a separate region. Currently, Mike Honda represents Gilroy in the House of Representatives, though if Gilroy is divided among two districts, presumably two representatives would represent the area.”

Jonathan Kuperberg, Agoura Hills Patch- “Redistricting Plan Will Impac Moorpark”

http://agourahills.patch.com/articles/redistricting-plan-will-impact-moorpark

“Based on the latest maps, Moorpark and Agoura Hills will be sharing a state senator as part of Senate District 27. The district would include Moorpark along with the Conejo Valley cities Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village. In addition, the zone would extend south to Malibu, east to Chatsworth and Encino and north into Simi Valley and the Stevenson Ranch area of Santa Clarita County.

In all likelihood, Senators Fran Pavley and Tony Stickland would both run for reelection in the new 27th district, which essentially combines parts of their current districts. If the map is approved, Strickland, currently representing Moorpark’s 19thdistrict, would lose Santa Barbara County as well as Ventura and Camarillo. Pavley’s district would lose Oxnard, Port Hueneme and West LA County cities like Santa Monica and Beverly Hills.“

Christian Brown, The Downey Patriot- “Congressional maps shift political landscape”

http://thedowneypatriot.com/bookmark/14952776-Congressional-maps-shift-political-landscape

“Downey will remain whole in each new legislative and congressional district, according to preliminary final maps released by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission last Friday.”

Aaron Blake, The Washington Post- “Dissatisfaction + redistricting = huge turnover in Congress”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/dissatisfaction–redistricting–huge-turnover-in-congress/2011/08/05/gIQANC7owI_blog.html

“In 2012, the bipartisan Citizens Redistricting Commission in California and aggressive maps passed by partisan legislatures in other big states — Illinois, for one — means there are many members who are going to be running in districts that contain territory that is new to them.”

Check out the articles below to read more about the district lines and what the final maps may mean for California:

Jim Sanders, Capitol Alert, The Sacramento Bee- “California redistricting panel prepares for lawsuit” http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2011/07/california-redistricting-panel-opts-to-re.html

Cameron Joseph, Ballot Box, The Hill’s Campaign Blog- “New district map shakes up California”

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/redistricting/173971-new-district-map-shakes-up-calif

Patt Morrison, 89.3 KPCC- “Stakeholders weigh in on Friday’s controversial California redistricting maps”

http://www.scpr.org/programs/patt-morrison/2011/07/27/20045/redistricting

Julie Small, 89.3, KPCC- “California’s final redistricting plan released”

http://www.scpr.org/news/2011/07/28/27946/californias-redistricting-commission-releases-fina/