If you are a member of an organization that would like to publish an article in your newsletter, consider using this. To get involved with the League's effort, contact your local League or redistricting@lwvc.org.

On November 4, California voters will have the opportunity to finally ensure their voices are heard and help make state elected official more accountable to voters. They can seize that opportunity by voting Yes on Proposition 11.

Why is Proposition 11 needed? Increasingly, partisan gridlock prevents our state lawmakers from effectively addressing the issues Californians care about most, including the state budget, health care reform, education funding, and water and the environment, to name a few. Contributing to this ongoing problem is the fact that legislators are allowed to draw their own district lines to guarantee their reelection. As a result, our lawmakers are not accountable to voters. In fact, even as legislative approval ratings continue to plummet, nearly 99 percent of incumbent legislators are reelected every year.

Proposition 11 will end the conflict of interest in our current redistricting system, help put voters back in control and finally make lawmakers accountable to their constituents. The initiative will change the way legislative districts are drawn by creating a 14-member independent redistricting commission that includes five Republicans, five Democrats and four members not affiliated with either major party. This commission will have to draw fair districts that protect minority communities and keep cities and counties intact. And, unlike the current process, Prop. 11 will ensure that the redistricting process is transparent and open to public review.

Prop. 11 enjoys broad, bipartisan support from around the state, including the League of Women Voters of California, AARP, California Common Cause, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, former state Controller Steve Westly, Governor Gray Davis, the California Police Chiefs Association, the California Chamber of Commerce, ACLU of Southern California, the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, and the Orange County Professional Firefighters – among many others.

The status quo is not working for California. By supporting Proposition 11, voters will help put the state on the right track by ending the redistricting conflict of interest and making lawmakers more accountable to voters. We hope you will join us in supporting this important measure on November 4. Please visit www.yesprop11.org for more information.