Redistricting or Rethinking? Why Proportional Representation May Be a Better Solution than California’s Independent Redistricting Commission

In 2008, California voters went to the polls and passed Proposition 11, which established the California Redistricting Commission. Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger strongly urged the passage of this ballot measure as a way to make elections more competitive. The initiative’s drafters sought to solve the legislature’s political stalemate by attacking the legislative system at one of its earliest stages: the drawing of political districts. Taking the district line-drawing function away from legislators would seemingly eliminate the inherent conflict of interest in letting the political players create their own rules of the game. While this may be a step toward increasing electoral competition and working to end the political gridlock in the California legislature, as designed, the Commission may face potential pitfalls that could limit its effectiveness at accomplishing those goals. California’s uncompetitive legislative elections are a mess, as races are rarely, if ever, competitively contested, seats change party hands