California PIRG (CALPIRG) and Ohio PIRG are working to pass measures on the November 8 ballot that would put in place new, fairer, systems for drawing district lines in both states. Requiring legislators to stand for reelection in competitive districts would ensure that politicians pay closer attention to the people. Despite being very similar in policy and non-partisan in nature, the two measures are getting caught in partisan crosshairs.
In California, CALPIRG supports Proposition 77 along with other reform groups including Common Cause and TheRestOfUs.org. If passed, Prop. 77 would remove the redistricting process from politicians and give the job to retired judges. These judges would be required to solicit input from the public and draw district lines that are fair and respect the integrity of communities, cities and counties. They won't be able to consider political registration or party affiliation - unlike the current system. Prop. 77 would give voters the final input by requiring the new districts be approved by voters.
The non-partisan Reform Ohio Now coalition, of which Ohio PIRG is a central group, is promoting a package of constitutional amendments to reform the elections system in the state. The redistricting measure, Amendment 4 would establish an independent Commission to approve the state and federal legislative districts. There is a diverse coalition supporting Amendment 4, including TheRestofUs.org, Common Cause of Ohio, the League of Women Voters, and Ohio Taxpayers Association.
In California, many Democrats are opposing Prop. 77 primarily due to support from Gov. Schwarzenegger and in Ohio many Republicans oppose Amendment 4 falsely claiming it’s a Democratic measure.
Contacts: Steve Blackledge, CALPIRG Legislative Director, 916-448-4516 x 108, sblackledge@calpirg.org, www.calpirg.org; Erin Bowser, Ohio PIRG State Director, 614-460-8732, ebowser@ohiopirg.org, www.ohiopirg.org; Derek Cressman, Director of TheRestofUs.org, 1-800-859-8768, derek@therestofus.org, www.TheRestOfUs.org.
