SCA 3 (Lowenthal), Redistricting Reform for California

August 14, 2006

CONTACT YOUR SENATOR IMMEDIATELY!

Your action is urgently needed to press for reform of the redistricting process in California. It is still possible that the legislature will put a well-crafted proposal to establish a citizens redistricting commission on the November 2006 ballot, but this will happen only if legislators act quickly.

ACTION NEEDED: Call or Fax your state senator and urge a YES vote on SCA 3 (Lowenthal) when it comes up for a floor vote. Tell him or her that redistricting reform must be acted on separately from other possible issues like term limits. Key in your zip code to Find your Senator.

Please send this alert to as many friends and colleagues as possible.

BACKGROUND: SCA 3 by Senators Alan Lowenthal and Roy Ashburn embodies the basic elements of redistricting reform advocated by the LWVC:

• an independent citizens redistricting commission that reflects the diversity of our state
• an open process for public input and scrutiny
• sound criteria for the drawing of plans.

Since the defeat of Proposition 77 last year, the League has worked with a broad coalition and participated in numerous hearings and meetings to develop and refine SCA 3. It is now a strong bill ready for a Senate floor vote and then consideration by the Assembly. As a constitutional amendment, SCA 3 will go on the ballot if passed by a two-thirds vote of both houses.

Learn more about redistricting reform and SCA 3.

In the last few days, legislative discussion of redistricting has been accompanied by discussion of another possible governmental reform, the extension of legislative term limits. The League has testified at hearings of a special conference committee called to consider the two subjects.

While term limits reform is important, a specific term limits proposal has not been unveiled by the legislature, and we have urged the legislature not to combine the two issues into a single measure. Although improvements may still be made in the Lowenthal proposal, redistricting reform is ready for legislative action, and there is no need to delay.

LWVC 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.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Trudy Schafer, LWVC Program Director/Advocate, tschafer@lwvc.org, 916-442-9210.

KEEP US INFORMED: Send an e-mail to advocacy@lwvc.org to let us know what action you have taken and any responses you receive.