MALDEF OPPOSES PROP 11, EVEN THOUGH LATINO WROTE IT
Californian's are looking to have legislative districts redrawn in a non-partisan manner and ensure representative seats.
(EMAILWIRE.COM, October 23, 2008 ) Sacramento, CA - California’s Proposition 11 is intended to remove the partisan politics from the redrawing of legislative districts in the state. Co-authored by a former attorney for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF), Steve Reyes, the Proposition has garnered as much support as opposition among ethnic organizations.
Steve Reyes co-authored the Proposition with Common Cause and the League of Women Voters in an effort to ensure that minority representation was not suppressed and the redrawn districts did not favor a particular party. Proposition 11 establishes a 14 member commission whose sole purpose is to redraw the state’s legislative districts. But, is this a good solution for a complicated process that only happens ever decade?
“We do need reform, but not just any reform,” says Nancy Ramirez, Western Region Attorney for MALDEF. “Our concern with Proposition 11 is that there is no oversight over the 14 member commission that would redraw the districts.”
Californians are frustrated over continued partisan politics and would like to see legislative districts redrawn. Through Proposition 11, Reyes and its co-authors feel that an appointed commission would provide a better redistricting plan, even though MALDEF and numerous other legal support groups disagree.
“There is no guarantee that applicants to this commission will be diverse,” adds Nancy Ramirez. “And, the commission would be accountable to no one. We believe an effective reform should include everyone.”
In 1991, the state legislature submitted a redistricting plan that was rejected by then Governor Pete Wilson, who opted to appoint three judges to conduct the redrawing. The result netted more Latinos elected to legislative seats, demonstrating the opposite of MALDEF’s concern.
“Because the commission members may not be representative of the state’s population, it may mean that districts would exclude ethnic groups,” adds Nancy Ramirez. “This will not guarantee a diverse representation.”
Proposition 11 does have its faults, but ensuring cities and counties are not carved out to support the interests of those who hold office, nor for a particular party’s benefit is a bigger interest to voters. This public referendum may give Latinos and other minorities in California more of a voice and some level of hope to rid partisan politics.
Steve Reyes co-authored the Proposition with Common Cause and the League of Women Voters in an effort to ensure that minority representation was not suppressed and the redrawn districts did not favor a particular party. Proposition 11 establishes a 14 member commission whose sole purpose is to redraw the state’s legislative districts. But, is this a good solution for a complicated process that only happens ever decade?
“We do need reform, but not just any reform,” says Nancy Ramirez, Western Region Attorney for MALDEF. “Our concern with Proposition 11 is that there is no oversight over the 14 member commission that would redraw the districts.”
Californians are frustrated over continued partisan politics and would like to see legislative districts redrawn. Through Proposition 11, Reyes and its co-authors feel that an appointed commission would provide a better redistricting plan, even though MALDEF and numerous other legal support groups disagree.
“There is no guarantee that applicants to this commission will be diverse,” adds Nancy Ramirez. “And, the commission would be accountable to no one. We believe an effective reform should include everyone.”
In 1991, the state legislature submitted a redistricting plan that was rejected by then Governor Pete Wilson, who opted to appoint three judges to conduct the redrawing. The result netted more Latinos elected to legislative seats, demonstrating the opposite of MALDEF’s concern.
“Because the commission members may not be representative of the state’s population, it may mean that districts would exclude ethnic groups,” adds Nancy Ramirez. “This will not guarantee a diverse representation.”
Proposition 11 does have its faults, but ensuring cities and counties are not carved out to support the interests of those who hold office, nor for a particular party’s benefit is a bigger interest to voters. This public referendum may give Latinos and other minorities in California more of a voice and some level of hope to rid partisan politics.
Press Release Keywords:
Mexican American, legislative districts, Steve Reyes, Common Cause, League of Women Voters, legal defense fund, ethnic groups, Latinos, minorities, California
Mexican American, legislative districts, Steve Reyes, Common Cause, League of Women Voters, legal defense fund, ethnic groups, Latinos, minorities, California
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