Who Should Make Districts? Politicians or the People?

Prop 11 on November's ballot will allow the redrawing of state district boundaries overseen by an independent commission after the 2010 census. Currently, state politicians create their own boundaries, something proponents of the prop say guarantees their reelection.

Redistricting propositions don't go without a fight. But with that said, it is not a sexy and easily understood topic. In a Ventura County Star editorial, Joe Howry nicely lays it out from his point of view. He wants it to pass and sums it nicely near the end: "No redistricting proposal is ever perfect, but anything would be an improvement over the current situation." The situation being a $17 billion deficit, among many other things.

Since 1930, voters in California have seen and voted down 10 redistricting propositions. Will the 11th try work? (Note: the eleven in Prop 11 has nothing to do with how many attempts there have been--it was just luck).

Image of state assembly districts