Fifteen years ago, the people of California overwhelming passed Proposition 20 to take congressional redistricting away from self-interested politicians and require California’s congressional districts to be drawn by an Independent Citizens Commission.
The public’s support for Independent Congressional Redistricting was decisive. Proposition 20 passed with 61.3% — a margin of over 2.1 million votes.
Unfortunately, state politicians in Sacramento — led by Governor Newsom — have decided to ignore the public’s wishes by attempting to circumvent the Independent Redistricting Commission and impose a highly partisan set of congressional districts that would disenfranchise millions of California voters.
The politicians’ new redistricting scheme is being falsely cloaked under the guise of “saving democracy” when in fact it undermines democracy in every way possible.
Their new congressional district lines were drawn up by a partisan political operative named Paul Mitchell without any public input or scrutiny. So much for transparency.
Self-interest, not public good, are the real motives behind this sleazy redistricting scheme. It is widely reported that State Sen. Mike McGuire refused to support any plan that didn’t include a new congressional district for himself. Right on cue, the proposed new congressional maps create a gerrymandered district for McGuire that stretches for hundreds of miles across counties that have no common interest. So much for integrity.
The Sacramento redistricting scheme is being jammed through at the last minute to minimize public awareness and to keep communities in the dark about its effect on their representation. Legislators who are cutting corners to steamroll this redistricting plan through the process have shut down questions about the origins of the new district lines. So much for accountability.
Governor Newsom claims that circumventing California’s Independent Redistricting Commission is a “temporary” action based on political necessity. The public won’t fall for his false promises and empty words. We remember when Sacramento imposed a “temporary” gas tax increase that’s still with us today.
Make no mistake, should Sacramento’s new congressional district scheme pass, it will mean the end of independent redistricting in California. We will return to the days of gerrymandering that put the desires of politicians seeking advancement to higher office over the needs of California residents and communities.
Today, California residents are facing a mountain of serious problems, including: out-of-control homelessness; rising home insurance cancellations; a disgracefully slow rebuilding process in the fire-ravaged communities of Pacific Palisades and Malibu; a lack of affordable housing; a worsening state budget deficit; and the upcoming closure of two refineries which will significantly raise our already high gas prices.
Instead of working to solve these problems, the governor and his cronies in the Legislature are focused on advancing Newsom’s 2028 presidential ambitions by undermining the will of California voters who support independent redistricting.
We cannot afford to let Newsom’s political vanity silence the voices of California residents and return our state to the days of backroom redistricting deals.
It’s time for California voters to unite and send a message to Sacramento that we support an independent redistricting process that empowers people, not politicians. Please join me in voting no on the politicians sleazy congressional redistricting scheme.
Ted Nordblum is a longtime Conejo Valley resident, small business owner, actor, and martial artist.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Guest column: Save independent redistricting in California
Reporting by Ted Nordblum / Ventura County Star
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