What is everyone's take on Prop 77? Seems like not such a good idea to me. Anyone know how other states deal with this issue?
From what I hear ... it's not a good idea ... but I'm still looking into it
I'm voting No on 77. I hate the current system, but don't see this making it better (in fact, it would make things worse, imo).
As far as other states, I don't think there is anything comparable to what California is proposing. There are some details about other states in this article (warning SFChron lefty alert):
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/10/07/BAG7IF3FUA1.DTL
If Proposition 77 passes in November, California would become the 13th state to put an independent commission in charge of drawing its political lines. But that's about the only thing the redistricting plan would have in common with the rest of the nation.
(snip)
I have my doubts about giving the matter to judges but anything is better than the alternatives. Personally, I would want to write into a new law prescriptions against odd-shaped districts but how one does that ... I don't know. But California today is like Texas in 2003 -- Texas Dems had 65% of the seats but only 45% of the vote; today, California Dems have 65% of seats but only 53% of the vote.
Once the seats become competitive again, then they CA Dems will stop being beholden to labor unions and the gays and start reflecting the views of voters.
There's the lob ...