The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Nov. 21, 2023
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
While New York’s bipartisan redistricting commission struggled, the successful California Citizen Redistricting Commission maps were passed unanimously in 2021 with no litigation. New York’s commission deadlocked, and was overruled by a Democratic-dominated legislature which drew its own gerrymandered maps. Those were later thrown out by the court, and the Congressional map is STILL being contested.
Unlike New York’s 10-person, politically-appointed board, California uses an extensive application process for its 14-person board, using the California State Auditor’s office to review and recommend 120 qualified candidates. The top 60 candidates are put into pools of Democrats, Republicans and Unaffiliated. The California Assembly is then allowed to strike up to eight candidates per pool. The remaining candidates are the first eight members, who choose the remaining six members, two out of each of three pools.
Unlike New York, California’s commission follows strict rules about “communities of interest,” putting shared common interests like water systems and school districts over mapping for partisan power. While analysis by the Princeton Gerrymandering Project shows a Democratic lean versus other map options, proposed state assembly, senate, and Congressional maps received a unanimous vote of the commission. There were NO court challenges to the maps.
One more big difference: While New York’s legislature could overrule its commission, California’s Commission has the final say.
Find out more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
New York Independent Redistricting Commission – Background on the Commission
Brennan Center for Justice – What Went Wrong with New York’s Redistricting
California Secretary of State – California Redistricting
California Citizen Redistricting Commission – What is the Commission?
California Citizen Redistricting Commission – REPORT ON FINAL MAPS
CalMatters – No legal battles for California’s new election maps. But what lessons can be learned?
Princeton Gerrymandering Project – California
Groups Taking Action:
ACLU or Northern California, Common Cause, League of Women Voters CA, #CaliforniaPolitics
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#Democracy #DemocracyNews #FairMaps #EndGerrymandering #CitizenRedistricting #CaliforniaPolitics