41-446: [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] The California Citizens Redistricting Commission is the redistricting commission for the State of California responsible for determining the boundaries of districts for the State Senate , State Assembly , and Board of Equalization . The commission was created in 2010 and consists of 14 members: five Democrats , five Republicans , and four from neither major party. The commission
82-581: A redistricting commission is a body, other than the usual state legislative bodies, established to draw electoral district boundaries. Generally the intent is to avoid gerrymandering , or at least the appearance of gerrymandering, by specifying a nonpartisan or bipartisan body to comprise the commission drawing district boundaries. Currently, 21 U.S. states have some form of non-partisan or bipartisan redistricting commission. Of these 21 states, 13 use redistricting commissions to exclusively draw electoral district boundaries (see below). A 14th state, Iowa, uses
123-478: A "yes" vote on Proposition 27 amounts to money spent to hurt Proposition 20, and vice versa. That main campaign committee endorsing a "yes" vote on California Proposition 27 raised millions of dollars, including a substantial amount of money from 17 members of California 's delegation to the U.S. Congress as well as members of the California State Legislature such as State Rep. Charles Calderon ,
164-474: A $ 100,000 donor to the "Yes on 27" campaign. Arguments were submitted to the official California Voter Guide urging a "no" vote on Proposition 20, as were rebuttals to the arguments provided by Prop 20 supporters. The signers of these arguments were: The themes of the main arguments they made against Proposition 20 (and in favor of Proposition 27) are: Newspapers that editorialized in favor of Proposition 20 include: 694,354 signatures were required to qualify
205-487: A 12–2 vote. In response to a series of legal challenges, the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously three times in favor of the commission's maps, finding them in compliance with the U.S. Constitution and California Constitution . In addition, the U.S. Department of Justice granted pre-clearance of the commission's maps under Section 5 of the federal Voting Rights Act . The new districts took effect for
246-488: A new map, eight of the 12 members must vote in favor of it, including at least 2 unaffiliated members. District boundaries will be drawn by independent legislative staff. To approve a new map, eight of the 12 members must vote in favor of it, including at least 2 unaffiliated members. Citizens can apply, and the Secretary of State picks 200 at random, with party and geographic diversity. Republican and Democratic leaders in
287-405: A number of intra-party races, most notably a showdown between two of the state's most powerful House Democrats, Representatives Howard Berman and Brad Sherman . In the previous 10 years, incumbents were so safe that only one Congressional seat changed party control in 255 elections, due to bipartisan gerrymandering after the redistricting following the 2000 census . It is predicted that some of
328-630: A paid consultant to, the Board of Equalization, the Congress, the Legislature, or any individual legislator, or to register as a federal, state or local lobbyist in the State. Opponents alleged California Proposition 20 had unconstitutionally transferred the power to draw congressional district lines from the California State Legislature to the redistricting commission. They argued the federal constitution prohibited
369-444: A so-called "poison pill" provision. This means that if they both received a majority vote, the proposition that received the highest majority vote is the law that would go into effect. Since Proposition 20 passed but Proposition 27 did not, neither provision was triggered. If this initiative had not succeeded, the next Governor of California and members of the California State Legislature would have chosen how to draw lines for
410-546: A special redistricting process that uses neither the state legislature nor an independent redistricting commission to draw electoral district boundaries (see below). In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Arizona State Legislature v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission that redistricting commissions such as Arizona's, whose redistricting commission process is independent of the state legislature, were constitutional. For purposes of these tables: Iowa
451-519: Is a special case: Additionally, Maine and Vermont use advisory committees for redistricting. Connecticut, Illinois, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas have backup redistricting commissions, if efforts at redistricting via the usual legislative process fail. In 2021, following the 2020 census , a number of states will begin using new, non-partisan commissions or systems to redraw their legislative and/or congressional districts District boundaries will be drawn by independent legislative staff. To approve
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#1732851053802492-731: The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission . Because the California and Arizona commissions were created in the same way and they had similar powers under state laws, it is widely understood that the ruling in the Arizona case has also implicitly upheld California Proposition 20 and the California Citizens Redistricting Commission. Redistricting commission In the United States,
533-560: The California Constitution also requires that the Commission "conduct an open and transparent process enabling full public consideration of and comment on the drawing of district lines." As documented in its final report, the Commission engaged in an extensive public input process that included 34 hearings across the state where 2700 citizens and a diverse range of organized groups gave public testimony, including organizations such as
574-870: The League of Women Voters , California Forward , Common Cause , the California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber) , Equality California , Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) , the Asian Pacific American Legal Center , the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) , the Silicon Valley Leadership Group , and the Sierra Club . Over 20,000 written public comments were submitted through
615-456: The congressional apportionment arising from the 2010 United States census . The commission has been criticized by some politicians because "many safe seats in the Legislature could suddenly become competitive." The Commission certified new electoral district maps by the August 15, 2011 deadline. Maps for the state legislative districts passed with a 13–1 vote, and for Congressional districts with
656-424: The governor . In the event the legislature rejects, or the governor vetoes the initial plan, and this veto is not overridden by the legislature, the commission must be notified within 15 days of the rejection. If a second proposal is rejected by the legislature, or vetoed by the governor, and not overridden by the legislature, each house of the legislature retains the right to add any amendment, which shall comply with
697-404: The 53 U.S. Congressional districts California was determined to be entitled to after the 2010 census. From 2000 to 2010, the population in California underwent a major shift eastward, with people moving to California's inland areas from its coastal enclaves. This meant that California's congressional district boundaries would certainly undergo major upheaval after the 2010 census. As one example,
738-858: The California State Assembly , the President Pro Tempore of the California State Senate , and the minority party leaders in the Assembly and the Senate, as authorized by the law, jointly reduced the pools to 12 members in each pool. The Legislature submitted a list of applicants remaining in the pool on 12 November 2010. The State Auditor then randomly drew three Democrats, three Republicans, and two applicants from neither major party to become commissioners on 18 November 2010. Finally, these first eight commissioners selected six commissioners from
779-647: The June 5, 2012 primary. Republican sponsors put a referendum on the Senate map on the November 6, 2012 ballot as Proposition 40 , but have since reversed their position and are no longer opposing the new districts. While the long-term results will bear out over time, independent studies by the Public Policy Institute of California , the National Journal , and Ballotpedia have shown that California now has some of
820-511: The Michigan House and Senate can each reject five names, up to 20 in total. Then the Secretary of State picks the 13 members at random. The commission will have final say over the entire process of redistricting. The commission must hold 12 open public meetings, and to create maps, that meet the standards in Article III, §4(c). The maps must then be voted on, by the legislature, and signed by
861-530: The San Francisco Bay Area had grown less than 1% since the last redistricting, while the Central Valley area had grown by 21%. Los Angeles County had grown 5%, while San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial Counties had grown by 17%. Another notable factor is that California's population hadn't grown much relative to the population of the rest of the United States, There were fears at
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#1732851053802902-607: The campaign to qualify the Congressional Redistricting Initiative for the 2010 ballot. Munger was also a key supporter of 2008's Proposition 11 , having given about $ 2 million to that effort. The New York Times characterized Proposition 20's supporters as "an unlikely collection of election-reform groups, civil rights nonprofits and former officials from both major parties who say that the current system of redistricting has left politicians unaccountable." Supporters of Proposition 20 included: A full list of
943-591: The commission, and concluded that these efforts had manipulated the process. While the California Republican Party was quick to call for an investigation, other political observers were less surprised and noted that similar Republican efforts during the hearing process were simply less effective. In a response to the story, the Commission stated that it "had its eyes wide open" and that "the Commissioners were not unduly influenced by that." Daniel Claypool
984-554: The legislature rejects 2 maps or the commission fails to agree on a map the state supreme court draws the map. The commission is required to hold open, public meetings and to create maps that meet the standards set out in Proposition 4 . They would then send their proposal(s) to the state legislature , which can choose to accept or reject the map(s). The chief justice of the Utah Supreme Court will recommend one or more maps to
1025-538: The legislature resumes control of the process, but will have lower thresholds for passing a plan (albeit with stricter rules). California Proposition 20 (2010) Mayoral elections: Mayoral elections: Mayoral elections: Mayoral elections: Mayoral elections: Mayoral elections: A California Congressional Redistricting Initiative, Proposition 20 was on the November 2, 2010 ballot in California . It
1066-483: The legislature. The legislature is still allowed to propose maps, but the commission retains the right to review them, and voters could sue to block the implementation of a plan in violation of Prop 4's requirements. b) 7-member commission If the legislature cannot agree, a 7-member commission including the governor , auditor , secretary of state , and 4 legislators (2 from each party), will take responsibility. Should that commission be unable to reach an agreement,
1107-405: The most competitive districts in the nation, creating opportunities for new elected officials. For example, the uncertainty caused by the new districts combined with California's "top two" primary system has resulted in half a dozen resignations of incumbent Congressional representatives on both sides of the aisle, a major shake-up of California's Capitol Hill delegation. In addition, it has forced
1148-408: The newly elected politicians will be particularly well-suited for national politics since they will be forced to find positions that please moderate and independent voters to remain in office. In November 2008, California voters passed Proposition 11 , authorizing a state redistricting commission . The California State Auditor (CSA) adopted regulations on 20 October 2009. The Applicant Review Panel
1189-457: The people from bypassing the state legislature and using ballot initiatives to make laws governing federal elections. The federal constitution provides, "The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof." (emphasis added). On June 29, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of an Arizona ballot initiative giving redistricting power to
1230-478: The provisions in the article, to the legislation, which is then sent to the governor, to be signed. Citizens can apply, and the a panel of 5 retired judges selects. Congressional maps must be approved by 6 of 8 citizens and 6 of 8 legislators. The state legislative maps must be approved by 6 of 8 citizens and 6 of 8 legislators and 3 out of 4 legislators from the chamber whose maps is being drawn. The legislature must approve commission maps but cannot modify them. If
1271-426: The remaining applicants in the pools on 15 December 2010. The Voters First Act and Voters First Act for Congress amended Article XXI section 2(d) of the California Constitution to establish a set of rank-ordered criteria that the Commission followed to create new districts: In addition, incumbents, political candidates or political parties cannot be considered when drawing districts. Article XXI section 2(b) of
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1312-403: The son of billionaire Charlie Munger , was a supporter of Proposition 11 in 2008 , which created a new way for political districts to be drawn for California's state legislators and its state Board of Equalization. A competing initiative that also qualified for the November 2 ballot, California Proposition 27 (2010) , sought to repeal Proposition 11. Proposition 20 and Proposition 27 each had
1353-407: The supporters of Proposition 20 is available from the "Yes on Proposition 20" website . Arguments were submitted to the official California Voter Guide on behalf of a "yes" vote on Proposition 20, as were rebuttals to the arguments provided by Prop 20 opponents. The signers of these arguments were: The arguments made on behalf of Proposition 20 focus on these themes: Opposition to Proposition 20
1394-467: The time that California might even have proportionally shrunk and that it could lose one or two seats in Congress. In the end, California's representation in Congress remained the same, which was the first time the state had not increased its congressional representation since the reapportionment following the 1920 census. Proposition 20 amended three sections of Article XXI of the California Constitution . The three sections are: Charles Munger launched
1435-511: The wedrawthelines.ca.gov website, via email or fax. Since the process was open, partisans were among those who attempted to influence the commission during the public hearing process to ensure the resulting districts were drawn in their favor. In a much-cited article, the investigative journalism publisher ProPublica found evidence that the California Democratic Party leaders coordinated with community groups to testify in front of
1476-459: Was approved by 61.2% of voters. Election officials announced on May 5 that the proposition had collected sufficient signatures to qualify for the ballot. The measure is known by its supporters as the VOTERS FIRST Act for Congress. The Congressional Redistricting Initiative: Ballot language was filed by Charles Munger, Jr., who was also Proposition 20's largest financial supporter. Munger,
1517-515: Was created following the passage in November 2008 of California Proposition 11 , the Voters First Act . The commissioners were selected in November and December 2010 and were required to complete the new maps by August 15, 2011. Following the 2010 passage of California Proposition 20 , the Voters First Act for Congress , the commission was also assigned the responsibility of redrawing the state's U.S. congressional district boundaries following
1558-453: Was passed in November 2010. The California State Auditor collected nearly 5,000 completed applications out of over 30,000 for the commission. A three-member panel of auditors reviewed the applications and conducted interviews to establish a pool of 20 Democrats, 20 Republicans, and 20 applicants from neither major party. The panel submitted the list of 60 of the most qualified applicants to the Legislature on September 29, 2010. The Speaker of
1599-428: Was primarily driven by the supporters of Proposition 27. Two campaign committees officially registered in opposition to Proposition 20. They are: Through September 22, neither of the committees specifically aimed at Proposition 20 had received any contributions to speak of. However, due to the fact that California Proposition 27 contains "poison pill" language with respect to Proposition 20, any money spent to promote
1640-420: Was randomly selected on 16 November 2009. The initial application period to apply to be on the commission began on 15 December 2009 and continued through 16 February 2010. The CSA issued more regulations in 2010 dealing with how the first 8 commissioners would select the remaining 6. The required supplemental application period began on 17 February 2010 and continued through 19 April 2010. California Proposition 20
1681-420: Was the commission's executive director. The commissioners are: A commission member is ineligible for 10 years, beginning from the date of appointment, to hold elective public office at the federal, state, county, or city level in the State. A member is also ineligible for five years, beginning from the date of appointment, to hold appointive federal, state, or local public office, to serve as paid staff for, or as