LWVC AND REDISTRICTING
The following is a summary of the League of Women Voters of California's Redistricting Position:
- "Support a state redistricting process and standards that promote fair and effective representation in the state legislature and in the house of representatives with maximum opportunity for public scrutiny.
- Support of a bipartisan commission as the preferred redistricting body."
In January, the state League communicated with Governor Schwarzenegger about our interest and concerns. The LWVC Legislation Director summarized the state League's actions on the issue as follows:
The governor is presenting a proposal for reform of the redistricting process and has called a special legislative session to consider this and other government changes he wants voters to approve. He backs ACAX1 3 by Assembly Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Assemblymember Sharon Runner, under which district lines would be drawn by a panel of retired judges instead of by the legislature, and a "mid-decade" redistricting would take place as soon as this proposed constitutional amendment took effect.
A number of other redistricting proposals are also being presented. They include an initiative by Ted Costa, who made a similar proposal in 2004; SCA 3, a bill by State Senator Alan Lowenthal which would establish a different kind of independent redistricting commission; and several others offered by both legislators and initiative proponents. The governor has said he may call a special election this year on this and other initiatives.
On January 13, the LWVC sent a letter to the Governor and to all of the members of the Legislature describing our concerns about redistricting proposals and stating the elements supported by the LWVC Redistricting position. The letter is available on the LWVC website.
We will be following up this letter with visits to legislators and their staffs. We will also be analyzing all of the proposals to see if there are any we can support.
LOCAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
Will it happen? It's up to you!
After the November election, several members expressed a desire for the LWVMP to look into election reform within Monterey County. A small League group has begun meeting to discuss ideas on promoting local Campaign Finance Reform. If you are interested, please join us. Meetings are the fourth Wednesday, of the month at 12 noon, Mariposa Hall, 801 Lighthouse Avenue, Monterey. Email us if you have questions.
