Wed Jun 26, 2013, 05:55 PM

Le Taz Hot (22,271 posts)

The Gerrymander Issue

Through the referendum process, California was able to overcome their gerrymandering process by taking the redistricting out of the hands of the politicians and into the hands of a bi-partisan commission. The differences in Congressional Districting were astounding -- it basically gave us a Super Majority in the State Leg. Here's a breakdown of the process:

http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Redistricting_in_California

It looks like 23 states have some sort of ballot initiative process:

http://www.iandrinstitute.org/statewide_i%26r.htm

Why is it not possible for more states, those with an initiative process, to be able to do as California has done?

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6 replies	Author	Time	Post
The Gerrymander Issue (Original post)	Le Taz Hot	Jun 2013	OP
this would be a great solution n/t	RainDog	Jun 2013	#1
I just can't help but think about Texas	Le Taz Hot	Jun 2013	#3
with a little research	mick063	Jun 2013	#2
Well, why don't you tell me.	Le Taz Hot	Jun 2013	#4
This is the kind of thinking we need now.	Gregorian	Jun 2013	#5
NJ has a bipartisan commission	tabbycat31	Jun 2013	#6

Response to Le Taz Hot (Original post)

Wed Jun 26, 2013, 05:59 PM

RainDog (28,784 posts)

1. this would be a great solution n/t

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Response to RainDog (Reply #1)

Wed Jun 26, 2013, 06:03 PM

Le Taz Hot (22,271 posts)

3. I just can't help but think about Texas

and North Carolina and Pennsylvania and so many other states that are WAY over-represented by Republicans while the Democrats are WAY UNDER represented. This is all achieved through gerrymandering and it's a critical front that must be fought in the battle for voter rights.

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Response to Le Taz Hot (Original post)

Wed Jun 26, 2013, 06:03 PM

mick063 (2,424 posts)

2. with a little research

One might discover how Arizona Republicans completely circumvented a similar well intended law.

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Response to mick063 (Reply #2)

Wed Jun 26, 2013, 06:04 PM

Le Taz Hot (22,271 posts)

4. Well, why don't you tell me.

It seems to have worked REALLY well in California. Maybe other states can learn from Arizona's mistakes.

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Response to Le Taz Hot (Original post)

Wed Jun 26, 2013, 06:20 PM

Gregorian (23,867 posts)

5. This is the kind of thinking we need now.

Even if it isn't this exact idea, there will be others. I am predicting a lot of backlash and serious efforts to combat the threat to our nation that this bad court ruling had dealt.

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Response to Le Taz Hot (Original post)

Wed Jun 26, 2013, 06:21 PM

tabbycat31 (6,336 posts)

6. NJ has a bipartisan commission

And a 'neutral' tiebreaker is agreed on by everyone (6D, 6R, tiebreaker). Except the tiebreaker is never neutral.

Legislative-- Dem tiebreaker, hence Dem gerrymander.
Congressional--GOP tiebreaker, hence GOP gerrymander.

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