Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) issued the following statement in response to California’s proposal to dismantle the voter-approved Citizens Redistricting Commission and give redistricting power back to lawmakers:
“Californians deserve a redistricting process that is fair, transparent, and free from political gamesmanship. Weakening or discarding the independent commission, even temporarily, betrays the trust voters placed in us and undermines the integrity of our democracy.
“The Citizens Redistricting Commission was created to end decades of political gerrymandering. Rolling back that progress for short-term gain risks undoing years of hard-fought reforms. Californians deserve leaders who will protect the independent system voters demanded and preserve it for generations to come.”
Background:
California has long set the standard for fair redistricting, outfitted with a voter‑established independent commission. That system is now under threat from a proposal to bypass it and empower legislators to redraw congressional maps, not once per decade, but immediately.
Why the Commission Matters
Before the commission’s creation, district lines were plotted in secrecy, through insider deals often protecting incumbents or political insiders.
Voters ended that. In 2008, Proposition 11 (the Voters FIRST Act) established the Citizens Redistricting Commission; Proposition 20, in 2010, expanded its reach to include congressional districts. Since then, the commission has consistently delivered maps through open, publicly reviewed processes, even adapting successfully during the pandemic-delayed 2020 cycle, earning praise for transparency and efficiency.
What’s Happening Now: A Dangerous Shift
A proposed legislative package would place a constitutional amendment on the November 4 special‑election ballot. If passed, the amendment would strip the commission’s authority, temporarily granting lawmakers control over congressional redistricting for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections.
While framed by some as reactive to nationwide redistricting trends, critics warn it compromises California’s voter-approved safeguards and damages its leadership on electoral fairness.
Why This Matters: For Everyday Californians
1. Undermines voter trust: The commission was created by voters to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability. Repealing that now would feel like repudiating voter intent.
2. Politicians picking their voters: Past systems showed that when legislators control map-making, they shield their own seats. That’s precisely what voters rejected when they established the independent commission.
What You Can Do: A Citizen’s Guide
1. Stay informed: Track the legislative process. If the amendment passes, it will appear on the November ballot.
2. Educate yourself: Learn how the independent commission works: open meetings, public input, balanced membership, and criteria that protect communities. For an overview, visit the Public Policy Institute of California.
3. Ask tough questions: Will lawmakers include safeguards? Are we willingly undoing voter‑approved reforms? Can the people trust the Legislature to act with integrity and not self-interest in the process of redistricting?
4. Vote: If this measure appears on the ballot, your choice will determine whether California maintains fair, independent redistricting or retreats into its partisan history.