Critics argue Newsom’s closed-door redistricting scheme violates California’s constitution and threatens the state’s democratically decided redistricting process.
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Californiahasalwaystouteditselfasabeaconofdemocracy.In2008and2010,votersenactedconstitutionalamendmentsestablishinganindependentCitizensRedistrictingCommission,whichisthegoldstandardforredistrictingandshouldserveasthenationalmodel.
HereinCalifornia,unlikeotherstates,ourcitizenspicktheirrepresentatives–therepresentativesdon’tpicktheircitizens.InourConstitution,ourcriteriaisthatwekeepcities,countiesandcommunitiesofinteresttogetherwhiledraftingdistrictlinesinpublic,duringhearingsacrossthestate.
GavinNewsomwantstogoagainstourConstitution.Hedraftedmapsbehindcloseddoorswithoutcommunityinput,splittingcounties16timesandcitiesmorethan100times,again,withoutpublichearings.TheresultwillbenocompetitivedistrictsinthestateofCalifornia.Wherevoterstodayhaveavoiceonwhoiselected,thatwillgoawaywithNewsom’sredistrictingscheme.
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