California

Who Draws the Lines? California Experiment Intact, For Now

Election Law Society · November 3, 2012 ·

When American legislators sit down to redraw district lines it is difficult to disentangle this redistricting process from the evils of gerrymandering and other forms of partisan abuse. Perhaps the party members we elect should not be closely involved in determining what our electoral districts look like. This is the conclusion a slim majority of California voters reached four years ago with the approval of Proposition 11. Also known as the Voters FIRST Act, Proposition 11 set up the California Citizens Redistricting Commission (CCRC), an independent redistricting commission. [Read more…] about Who Draws the Lines? California Experiment Intact, For Now

Making Moves toward the Middle? The effects of California’s efforts to create a less partisan primary in 2012 elections

Election Law Society · September 30, 2012 ·

By Erica L. Clark

In 2010 California passed Proposition 14 (Top Two Primaries Act), an initiative expected to increase Independent Party participation by changing the structure of primary elections to discourage partisanship and deadlocks. Though other states, like Louisiana, have relied on a similar system, as Sam Robinson notes, the system is not without controversy. The new “open primary” system allows candidates to omit their party affiliation from the ballots and selects the top two candidates with the highest number of votes, irrespective of their affiliation, to participate in the general elections. While opponents of Proposition 14 believed this would restrict voters’ choice, proponents were hopeful that the measure represented a major step toward creating a more moderate state government less stifled by strictly partisan deadlocks. The question is: Since the act took effect in the 2012 primaries, will it produce a more moderate result for California state offices in the general election? [Read more…] about Making Moves toward the Middle? The effects of California’s efforts to create a less partisan primary in 2012 elections

News Brief: Another California redistricting victim

Election Law Society · February 16, 2012 ·

by Brett Piersma

In September, this blog reported on the impact of a California initiative to create a citizen-panel to draw the new electoral districts. The commission’s efforts resulted in more competitive districts, with additional unintended consequences likely to follow such as more expensive campaigns relying on wealthy donors. On the other hand, more competitive districts are likely to draw more moderate candidates into the race, at least so goes the theory.

The Los Angeles Times reported in January that Elton Gallegly, the subject of our September piece, had chosen not to run for reelection. For some, this came as no surprise. A long-time representative earning reelection with big margins, Gallegly would certainly have carried his pre-redrawn district. But the commission’s actions placed Gallegly’s home in the same district as another popular Republican, Howard “Buck” McKeon. It does not require a top-dollar campaign advisor to calculate his chances of election in this new district, or in the new districts surrounding.

How his retirement will affect both California’s and the Republican Party’s clout in the House is uncertain, but not difficult to imagine. Gallegly not only chaired the Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement and vice-chaired the Committee on Foreign Affairs, but OpenSecrets.org reported in January on his significant connections with pharmaceuticals, finance, and real estate corporations.

Gallegly joins a long string of representatives retiring at the end of this term, many of whom are stepping down at least in part due to redistricting in their states.

Brett Piersma is a third-year law student at William and Mary.

permalink: http://stateofelections.pages.wm.edu/2012/02/16/news-brief-ca-redistricting-victim/

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