Time to Draw the Line

A bipartisan group of Californians has urged Governor Schwarzenegger and the State Legislature to back redistricting reform. The group includes scholars such as Michael Alvarez, Daniel Mazmanian, and Barbara O'Connor. It recommends creating an independent commission and requiring it to follow criteria that would respect communities of interest. The coalition also believes the line-drawing process should be highly transparent. Next week, the State Senate will vote on whether to put the issue on the November ballot.