The Redistricting Process

Paper Summary:

This paper takes a look the process of redistricting in the state of California every ten years, the year after the national census is taken. This paper shows how this process of redistricting becomes particularly contentious as this process is a legislative process and the legislators in power at the time the boundaries are to be redrawn, are the ones who determine the final outcome.

From the Paper:

"The Supreme Court of California appointed a small committee to handle the redistricting. Johnson's work shows that although the committee specifically stated they were not purposely trying to create competitive districts, voter districts drawn to ensure the most competitive election process, they actually did through their "community of interest approach" (Johnson, 2005). This approach included eight criteria, one of which was maintaining the integrity of minority influence areas as stated in the Federal Voting Rights Act (Johnson, 2005). With the extremely large minority population in California, the application of this criterion can have far-reaching effects. Such concerns and effects were underlying factors in a number of groups' opposition to Proposition 77. Thus, coupling the inherent problems with the process and the complexity of the procedure with the significant presence of state representatives in the House of Congress, it is easy to see why redistricting in California is a complicated and hotly debated topic.
As may be expected, Governor Schwarzenegger has criticized the redistricting process in California as one of the major roadblocks to reforming the state. He believes that the politicians should not be the ones to choose their own districts. Consequently, he fought hard for the passage of Proposition 77 during California's special election on November 8, 2005. Proposition 77 would have amended California's Constitution by changing the process for redistricting California's Senate, Assembly, Congressional and Board of Equalization districts. Had it passed, it would have put the line drawing into the hands of retired judges ("Proposition 77," 2005). Unfortunately for the Governor, voters rejected it. "

More papers on The Redistricting Process:

• Essay # 75606 : "Redistricting "
• Research Paper # 75693 : "California Redistricting"
• Research Paper # 120642 : "Counseling and the Grieving Process"

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