Category Archives: Archive

Douglas M. Johnson on Voters First

From Fred Ortega’s article in the Pasadena Star News: But Common Cause’s approach may have a better chance at becoming law than past proposals, said Douglas Johnson of the Rose Institute for State and Local Government at Claremont-McKenna College. “This is a complicated issue, so when the powers that be throw in millions of dollars… Continue Reading

More on Governor and Redistricting

KQED’s John Myers has a very detailed report of Schwarzenegger and Westly working together supporting the Voters First redistricting measure: This morning, Schwarzenegger went back to Natomas … to launch another initiative campaign to reform redistricting. Working the early lunch/late breakfast crowd at a Mimi’s Cafe, the governor promoted a new redistricting initiative, this one… Continue Reading

Governor Collecting Signatures

The AP has a story, here in the SF Chronicle, on Schwarzenegger’s new effort to collect signatures to qualify the Voters First initiative. The full text is below: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has begun a drive to qualify a November ballot measure that would take away legislators’ ability to draw their own districts.The Republican governor says… Continue Reading

Maryland Redistricting

The Capitol Editorial Board recently published an opinion peice on Maryland’s redistricting that sounds very familiar to what we have seen in other states, including California: “When Maryland’s political powers-that-be gathered behind closed doors in 1992 and again in 2002 to draw new political districts, they carved up Anne Arundel County like a Christmas turkey.Once… Continue Reading

Bass and Steinberg Re: Term Limits and Redistricting

From a Sacramento Bee editorial: Bass and Steinberg will have a lot on their plates in coming months, and the state’s fiscal troubles must be their first priority. But if they can set the state on a multiyear plan for resolving its structural deficit, which they absolutely must do, they should turn their attention toward… Continue Reading

Size of Legislature>Redistricting?

From Gary Carson’s op-ed in the San Bernardino Sun: The key to this entire debate is not, “Who should do the redistricting?” but rather, “How to factor in the size of the Legislature itself?” Is it too small, too large or just right? *** California, having the largest population of any state in the union,… Continue Reading

Ohio Redistricting Process

According to the Ohio Constitution the process for redistricting the state is conduction by the 5 -member Aportionment Committee consisting of the governor, auditor of state, secretary of state, and one person from each of the two parties in the legislature. An article in the Cinncinatti Enquirer by Jon Craig looks at redistricting reform legislation… Continue Reading

Dr. Frates on Town Councils

From Melissa Pamer’s article in the Pasadena Star: “In Los Angeles County, realistically, the chances of (a town council) having much hard-edged political traction is pretty slim,” said Steven Frates, a fellow at the Rose Institute of State and Local Government at Claremont McKenna College. “They are only as effective as the elected officials that… Continue Reading

Pennsylvania Redistricting Reform

Andrea Mulrine has an editorial in the Morning Call, PA about how redistricting reform effects citizens: Two consequences of gerrymandering may be less obvious but deserve consideration.First, a lack of competitive elections breeds voter apathy and reduced civic participation. Why become involved when the result is predetermined? Why volunteer or vote? Why become a candidate… Continue Reading