The California Citizens Redistricting Commission made strong arguments to the State Supreme Court today against a partisan challenge to their State Senate district maps. Republican Party representatives argued that their referendum to overturn the Commission's State Senate district maps was likely to qualify and asked the Court to appoint masters to draw new districts or use the maps drawn in 2001. Results from the counties make it clear that the referendum does not come close to have enough signatures to avoid a hand count. The Commission's view is that absent clear evidence it would survive a hand count, the peoples' will should not be overturned.
"The State Supreme Court has already determined that the Commission followed the Constitutional criteria in drawing the maps and dismissed lawsuits filed by the Republicans, in unanimous 7-0 votes. Commission lawyers urged the Court to use the Commission's maps in any case since they meet the criteria and using the maps from 2001 is clearly unconstitutional and violates the Federal Voting Rights Act," said Stan Forbes the current Chair of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission.
"Voters created the independent and non-partisan Citizens Redistricting Commission because it was fed up with the political parties drawing district maps to protect incumbents and the status-quo. The referendum is a last gasp of partisan politicians to thwart the peoples' process," said Forbes.
"The petitioner, Ms. Vandermost, has made no showing that the referendum will, in fact, qualify. It is very clear that there has to be an individual count," said the Commission's legal counsel James Brosnahan, senior partner with Morrison & Foerster.
"The Commissioners worked terribly hard, had meetings all around the state, listened to anyone who wanted to present their views, and video-taped their own discussions. There was an amazing openness to their proceedings, which stands in stark contrast to the history of redistricting in this and other states," said Brosnahan.