California Voters Say Yes to Redistricting Reform

The results are in and on Dec. 13, California Secretary of State Deborah Bowen certified results confirming the passage of Proposition 11, California's redistricting reform measure.

AARP California State President and Prop. 11 Proponent Jeannine English made the following statement regarding the historic significance of the passage of Prop. 11.

"This is a very happy day for all of us; we've finally achieved what we've been working years to achieve. One of the fundamental principles of our democracy is that citizens are able to select leaders who represent their interests. We will again be able to do that because of this initiative.

We're thrilled with the results of the election and thrilled to be able to say that we'll now move forward with the elected officials and we'll move forward with other good government initiatives to really make democracy work the way it was intended."

The journey to reform the state redistricting process has been a long one. For several years, California waited for the politicians to make good on a promise to revamp and improve the redistricting process. After several false starts, it became apparent that to do it right, we would have to do it ourselves.

It was that decision that launched a comprehensive effort by groups like AARP, Common Cause and the League of Women Voters to develop an open, transparent and fair redistricting process that would put takes the power to create districts out of politicians' hands and give it back to the voters.

And the voters have voiced their opinion at the polls by passing Proposition 11 in time for the 2010 census. This is a great victory for California and for AARP members across the state.

By ushering in a new redistricting process, AARP hopes that our legislative efforts on behalf of members—like a better health care system and improved long-term financial security options—will no longer be mired in political gridlock.

We remain committed to closely follow the implementation of Proposition 11, to ensure the process is fair, open and truly does reflect the composition of this great state. Thank you to our California members for working with us to make fair and open redistricting a reality.