![]() How can the Commission draw fair maps without taking into account one of the best predictors of voting behavior available? Otherwise, the Commission cannot consider party affiliation. Party affiliation is only allowed to be considered so the maps do not unfairly benefit one party. “Geographic Compactness” (the district is a solid shape, not all over the place).“Geographic integrity” (district lines don’t cut through cities, counties, neighborhoods, and “communities of interest”).“Geographic contiguity” (all parts of a district are connected to each other).Enough majority-minority districts (districts whose population is majority non-white).“Population equality” (every district has approximately equal population).In accordance with the California Constitution, the Commission prioritizes these five factors: Why isn’t the California Independent Redistricting Commission drawing fair maps?Īlthough party affiliation remains one of the best predictors of voting behavior, the commission does not even consider it. If California Republicans had fair representation in their legislature, they would be powerful enough to check the Democratic Governor and the Democratic legislature. This has real-life consequences for governance since supermajorities are required to pass Constitutional amendments and raise taxes. In the 2022 California State Assembly election, Democrats won approximately 61% of the popular vote, but nearly 78% of California’s Assembly seats. In fact, the “Difference” between California’s House Delegation and State Assembly (but curiously not for the State Senate) has steadily increased since 1992. However, since 2012, the first Congressional election using the Commission’s maps, “Difference”-the gap between political parties’ popular vote share and seat share-has only increased.Ĭhart 1: “Difference” for CA State Assembly, CA State Senate, CA House Since 1992 California’s state and federal maps have gotten worse over the last 30 years, except for the California State Senate | Image Source: California Redistricting Revisited, Eric Heilmann The California Citizens Redistricting Commission, approved by voters in 20, was created with the goal to draw fair maps. In 2022, Democratic House candidates in California won 63% of the state’s popular vote but 77% of California’s House seats. ![]() The 2022 midterm elections have proven once more how much the California Citizens Redistricting Commission has failed to live up to its mission: drawing fair maps.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |