SCA 3 (Lowenthal), Redistricting Reform for California

August 16, 2006

SCA 3 PASSED BY THE STATE SENATE, 27-11!

Today the senate took a momentous step toward reform of the redistricting process in California by passing SCA 3 by Senators Lowenthal and Ashburn. There was bipartisan support for giving the job of redistricting to an independent citizens redistricting commission, thus removing the inherent conflict of interest of legislators drawing their own district lines.

ACTION NEEDED:

If your senator voted for the bill (see the list below), please thank him or her.

Consideration of the bill by the assembly is the next step.

Please contact Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez (916-319-2046, speaker.nunez@assembly.ca.gov) and Minority Floor Leader George Plescia (916-319-2075, assemblymember.plescia@assembly.ca.gov) IMMEDIATELY and urge them to move SCA 3 through their house quickly.

Then, contact your own assembly member to ask for a "yes" vote on the SCA 3. (Contact information is available at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html.)

Thanks to the many League members and others who lobbied their senators for SCA 3!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

There is support for putting redistricting reform on the ballot from a growing list of organizations and individuals, including both major-party candidates for governor. Learn more about redistricting reform and SCA 3.

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.

THE SENATE VOTE ON SCA 3:

Senators who voted "yes" on SCA 3:

Aanestad, Ackerman, Alquist, Ashburn, Bowen, Chesbro, Cox, Denham, Ducheny, Dutton, Figueroa, Florez, Harman, Kehoe, Kuehl, Lowenthal, Maldonado, McClintock, Migden, Ortiz, Perata, Poochigian, Runner, Scott, Simitian, Speier, Torlakson.

Senators who voted "no":

Alarcon, Battin, Dunn, Escutia, Hollingsworth, Machado, Margett, Morrow, Murray, Romero, Soto.

Not voting:

Senators Cedillo and Vincent.

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