California Redistricting

Paper Summary:

This paper explains California's current redistricting process and an alternative approach backed by Governor Schwarzenegger called Proposition 77. Redistricting is the legal process of redrawing the boundaries of the political districts. The aim of this proposal was to amend the state constitution to give redistricting duties to a panel of retired judges and require them to try to draw new lines in time for the June primary in 2006. Findings show that present-day redistricting has problems, but that the proposed solution is equally flawed. The positive effect that resulted from proposition 77 was to bring attention to current problems and some alternative suggestions that could have real impact. The paper discusses why Proposition 77 was defeated despite the fact that many recognize that redistricting is a flawed system.

From the Paper:

"In the 1960's, the United States Supreme Court ruled, based on the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution, that the states are required to reconstruct the boundary lines of the Congressional, State Legislative and other districts the year after the year in which the national decennial census is conducted to make certain that the population of each district is reasonably equal (Redistricting for activists 101). Article XXI of the California Constitution also requires that the boundaries of California's political districts be redrawn at this time. California law states that redistricting, the legal process of redrawing the boundaries of the political districts, be conducted through the legislative process. Redistricting legislation is introduced, moved through the hearing process, passed out of the Legislature and sent to the Governor much the same as other bills."

More papers on California Redistricting:

• Essay # 75606 : "Redistricting "
• Research Paper # 75569 : "The Redistricting Process"
• Essay # 143486 : "Impacting State And Local Elections"

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