Redistricting reform gains new life
It appears that California legislators may finally be ready to give up control of drawing the boundaries of their own districts. Assembly and Senate leaders are ready to put a constitutional measure on the ballot in November that would give redistricting power to an independent 11-member commission.
The Associated Press reported today that an amendment to the California Constitution has enough votes to pass the Senate. It also should pass the Assembly and then go on the November ballot. The voters would have to approve the change.
“I don’t see a whole lot of opposition to this at this point,” Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez told the AP. “It’s a clear effort to try and do the right thing by way of allowing for broader citizenship participation in the political process.”
Last November, California voters rejected a redistricting reform plan that got overshadowed by a power struggle between Democrats and Republicans. But this measure seems to have bi-partisan support, which increases its chances of passing this November.