Leon E. Panetta, co-chairman of the bipartisan reform group California Foward, advocates for Proposition 11 in a SacBee article: “The passage of Proposition 11 would be a major first step toward improving the political system. Ending the conflict of interest inherent in California’s redistricting process and replacing it with one that is open, inclusive and… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Redistricting
Sacramento Bee Opinion Piece Supports Proposition 11
 A recent opinion piece in the Sacramento Bee by Daniel Curtin, director of the California Conference of Carpenters, vociferously argues for the passage of Proposition 11. He particularly takes issue with what he believes are the wrong incentives for legislators and voters provided by safe districts. A guaranteed outcome in November that protects the incumbent… Continue Reading
Modesto Bee Editorial Supports Proposition 11
A recent editorial in the Modesto Bee supports the passage of Proposition 11 and redistricting reform. The editorial goes so far as to call the current districts “a bipartisan scam.” Â The reason is that the districts in which the candidates compete have been designed to favor heavily one party or the other. It’s a bipartisan… Continue Reading
Research at PPIC Says Redistricting Not to Blame for Partisanship in Sacramento Bee
A recent opinion piece at the Sacramento Bee by Eric McGhee at the Public Policy Institute of California says that there is no evidence that the 2001 redistricting of California caused increased partisanship in Sacramento. Referencing a report that came out earlier this year, Mr. McGhee says that if you measure partisanship by certain legislative… Continue Reading
San Francisco Chronicle Article Redistricting and Legislative Control
A recent San Francisco Chronicle article claims that Democratic party members are concerned about the possibility that Proposition 11 may impede their ability to take greater control of the California state legislature. More quietly, Democratic leaders argue that a change in the redistricting rules would be bad news for the party, which controls the current… Continue Reading
Contra Costa Times Supports Proposition 11 in Redistricting Editorial
In an editorial entitled “Proposition 11 Would End Conflict of Interest in Redistricting,” the Contra Costa Times endorsed Proposition 11. The Times looks hard at the number of seats that change party hands in elections: New faces appear from time to time because of term limits, but the political parties do not change. In 2004,… Continue Reading
Opinion Piece in Los Angeles Times Supports Proposition 11
In a recent opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times, Nicholas Stephanopoulos, an attorney in Washington whose specialty is election law, comes out in support of proposition 11. Stephanopoulos talks about the quirkiness of having citizens drawing the lines versus professional independent line drawers, but says that citizens would do a much better job than… Continue Reading
Opinion Piece at California Progress Report Supports Proposition 11
In an opinion piece on the website California Progress Report, Peter Stahl whole-heartedly endorses Proposition 11. He does an excellent job of explaining the ramifications and consequences of the current system of redistricting, particularly the influence on the level partisanship it has. The intense partisanship that the Governor complains about stems directly from non-competitive legislative… Continue Reading
Santa Cruz Sentinel Says Santa Cruz County Could Benefit From Proposition 11
A recent article in the Santa Cruz Sentinel talks about whether Santa Cruz County might benefit from the passage of Proposition 11. The article claims that Santa Cruz County lost out after the last round of redistricting in 2001. The last time the state’s legislative districts were redrawn, the county’s voice in Sacramento, at least… Continue Reading
Proposition 11 Campaign Critizes State Senate President Don Perata
According to PolitikerCa, members of the campaign for Proposition 11 recently criticized California State Senate President Don Perata in a press release and suggested that they have a debate about who has a “hidden agenda.” The press release was written by Jeanine English, president of the California AARP and one of the original backers of… Continue Reading