By Fred Keeley
When Gov. Gray Davis was recalled by California’s voters in 2003, there were real reasons. Time magazine at the time asked on its cover: “Is California Governable?” There were questions about whether California could adopt an annual balanced budget on time (rarely, was the answer). Questions arose about whether California’s primary elections were putting forth the best candidates. There were questions about whether the vote threshold (two-thirds vote of the Legislature, rather than a majority vote as is required in 48 other states) to adopt a budget was a good idea.
From those repeated questions, a series of reform measures were offered to the voters, and all were adopted. The most significant of which was the constitutional amendment to establish the Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission. That single act by the voters made the most significant reform in California’s governance system since the Progressive Era reforms in the early 1900s. It meant that voters would select their elected officials, rather than elected officials selecting their voters. Elected officials were completely taken out of the redistricting process and replaced by an independent body.
The results have been important and dramatic. Instead of a decadal adoption of maps that were, as the speaker of the Assembly said in 2001, “an incumbent protection program,” maps are now drawn using the only three criteria allowed under law: census data, the Voting Rights Act and communities of interest.
When I served as a member of the Board of Directors of California Forward, which wrote and put forth the Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission, it was a wonderful moment of reform when it was adopted by California voters. The subsequent two redistricting maps for members of Congress, Assembly members, state senators, and the state Board of Equalization have had no external political imprints and are reflections of emerging realities and trends throughout our state. No longer are politicians selecting their voters, voters are selecting their representatives.
Why, then, should we even consider suspending the role of the Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission, and conduct mid-decade redistricting for members of the House of Representatives, as suggested by Proposition 50? Because our democracy is at stake.
Sadly, President Trump and his state-level acolytes throughout the country decided to undertake mid-decade redistricting in “red” states that do not have independent redistricting commissions and instead still let politicians select their voters. The effect of such redistricting is an increase in “red” congressional districts. So, to keep the current balance in “red” and “blue” states, California is responding in kind with Proposition 50. This is a temporary suspension of Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission authority, which will be reinstated for the decadal redistricting in 2030. As Gov. Newsom has said, this is fighting fire with fire, not starting fires for no reason.
On the local level, we are also seeing unabashed political advocacy by out-of-town special interests to defeat a locally developed response to our out-of-control housing prices. The California Association of Realtors is doing two things wrong. First, after two years of community-wide discussion and negotiations, the Realtors are the only group that refused to support Measure C in the city of Santa Cruz, the Workforce Housing Affordability Act.
Not only do the Realtors oppose Measure C, but they also put on the ballot a dirty political trick, Measure B. Measure B is a direct attempt to mislead voters, a fact admitted to by the Realtors. Their measure includes elements that they themselves say violate their core principles.
How do we fight these two untoward efforts? Vote Yes on Proposition 50 and vote Yes on Measure C. These two votes are the most direct way to oppose out-of-town special interests who are trying to undermine our democracy, and keep a basic human need — housing — unaffordable. Proposition 50 protects our democracy, and Measure C will make housing more affordable.
Say No to special interests, and Yes on Proposition 50 and Measure C.
Fred Keeley is mayor of Santa Cruz.