Re-districting reforms (Yes on 20) puts power in hands of a citizen commission. Capitola, CA has one citizen (a Repuglican) on the commission! He must know statistics as he was head of the U.S. Census.

Cameron Jackson

One way to vote is to look at how those you want out of office vote. And vote opposite. Since I don’t like the policies of Nancy Pelosi and Sam Farr I looked at how they will vote on Proposition 20 – which extends redistricting reforms that voters passed in 2008.

Incumbents Nancy Pelois and Sam Farr (Monterey and Santa Cruz) oppose Proposition 20 which takes power away from politicians and puts it in the hands of citizens. Both Farr and Pelosi gave $20,000 to oppose Proposition 20.

“2008 voters took the power to draw California’s legislative districts away from politicians — who have used it to gerrymander districts for their own benefit — and gave it to an independent citizens’ commission. Hoping to build on that reform, good-government groups put Proposition 20 on the Nov. 2 ballot to expand the commission’s purview to congressional seats.

“Politicians despise the independent commission because they no longer get to choose their own voters and keep seats safe for their party. This is particularly true of Democrats because they currently hold more of those seats than Republicans. They fought the redistricting proposal in 2008, and now they’re bankrolling Proposition 27 on the November ballot will kill the commission before it has even begun its work.

Incumbents Nancy Pelois and Sam Farr (Monterey and Santa Cruz) oppose Proposition 20 which takes power away from politicians and puts it in the hands of citizens.

Californians must reject this unconscionable power grab by voting yes on Proposition 20 and no on Proposition 27.

The campaign finance reports for Proposition 27 tell the story. The vast majority of the $1 million-plus in donations come from current or aspiring Democratic members of Congress and their supporters, who fear losing power. We’re especially disappointed in the Bay Area members of Congress who have donated to the Proposition 27 campaign: Jackie Speier, Nancy Pelosi, Anna Eshoo, Zoe Lofgren, Mike Honda and Sam Farr, each contributing $10,000.

Democrats have the most to lose, but back-room deals in the Legislature have created safe Republican seats, too. Look at the long, skinny Senate district, now represented by Sam Blakeslee, that runs from San Jose to San Luis Obispo — communities with almost nothing in common. No citizens group would draw those lines.

The process of selecting the first commission has been completely transparent, with all 30,000 applications posted on the Web and 120 finalist interviews streamed live. Once the 14-member panel is chosen, it will work in public, in contrast to the closed-door plotting in Sacramento. This has to shore up public confidence.

When the commission is done in 2011, its work will speak for itself. If there are problems, the system can be tweaked.

The redistricting commission is one piece of a reform agenda to help restore trust in a broken system. Today nearly every California seat in the Legislature and Congress is safe, and that’s one reason lawmakers have little incentive to work together. Some seats will remain safe no matter who draws the lines because regions tend to gravitate to one party or the other, but experts believe the more objective process will result in at least a few more competitive races — therefore a few more moderate lawmakers willing to reach across the aisle.

The ballot arguments against Proposition 20 are nearly incomprehensible, with loony claims about “Jim Crow economic districts.” That may be a deliberate strategy to confuse voters in the absence of real arguments.

Don’t be fooled. Proposition 20 is supported by such respected organizations as the AARP and Common Cause. Proposition 27 is supported by self-interested politicians. Vote yes on Proposition 20. Vote no on Proposition 27.