“I have said many times that we need a system the truly represents the voters so when lawmakers go home they are held accountable and people get results on issues they care about - whether it is health care reform, budget reform, education, making sure California never runs out of water or rebuilding our infrastructure. The California Voters FIRST Act will make it easier for people to come to Sacramento and find common ground, solve problems and end gridlock in our government. I ask the people of California to join us in supporting this reform.”
“I'm excited to be a part of this team. Legislators designing their own districts is a clear conflict of interest - this initiative solves that problem. California Voters First puts the task of reapportionment into the hands of a truly independent multi-partisan commission. This is a cause I've advocated for since I was State Controller and I'm looking forward to all that we can accomplish with this initiative.”
“Everyone in Sacramento wants a safe-seat. However, safe-seats generally produce legislators who are less accountable to voters, not more. Under the current rules legislators pick their voters, and with this reform voters will once again pick their legislators.”
“Californians are ready to remove the conflict that currently exists with politicians drawing their own legislative boundaries. Voters want to end the gridlock in this state and make their representatives accountable to addressing the needs of the communities that elected them.”
“The diverse coalition of people standing up to support this measure is a testament to the strength of this comprehensive and bipartisan approach to redistricting in California.”
“Redistricting reform is an important issue for our members throughout the state. This is why our organization has endorsed the California Voters FIRST initiative. Under current law, California legislators are drawing their own political districts, and we see that as a serious conflict of interest one that is harmful to voters. We're excited to be in the company of Governor Schwarzenegger, the AARP, California Common Cause and the LA Chamber of Commerce in supporting this initiative and are hopeful that this reform will put voters back in charge.”
“The California Voters FIRST Act does put the interests of voters before the interests of politicians because it guarantees that the maps will be debated in the open – not in a backroom at the State Capitol.”
“Voters are supposed to choose their representatives, but in California, political parties select their voters. That kind of power is destructive and inherently anti-democratic. It must end, and Proposition 11 will help end it.”
“A vote for Proposition 11 is a vote for democracy itself.”
“Of all the state propositions to be decided by voters this election, none is more important than the redistricting measure, Proposition 11. It deserves the backing of every Californian concerned about the state's financial future; it has ours.”
“Proposition 11 amounts to a referendum on whether you think Sacramento must change its ways. Given all that has gone wrong in California in recent years, the case for a YES vote is overwhelming.”
“Prop. 11 will give voters in all communities a strong and united voice so our elected officials will have to listen to us and really work to effectively address the issues we all care about.”
“POPA supports Prop. 11 because we want the Legislature to work together to solve the problems Californians care about – like approving a state budget and ensuring our public safety departments and programs are properly funded.”
“We support Prop. 11 because it will make state elected officials more accountable to voters and encourage them to effectively address the challenges we face in the state, like the budget.”
“It’s simple. Legislators put self-interest first when they control redistricting. Minorities and everyone else will benefit from taking that power out of their hands. Vote yes on Proposition 11.”
San Jose Mercury News, Editorial, September 4, 2008
“It shouldn’t surprise anyone that legislative races aren’t competitive when lawmakers get to draw their own districts, in effect choosing their own voters or, to put it bluntly, rigging elections in advance. That’s why we support Proposition 11 on the Nov. 4 ballot, an initiative that would create an independent commission to draw legislative district boundaries after the 2010 census.”
"Fair districts will restore competition to legislative elections, and that will make lawmakers more accountable to the voters who elect them. Right now, they are only accountable to party leaders because the gerrymandered districts are drawn for each major party. That system has given us gridlock, and there's no better example of that than the budget impasse. If that makes you mad, vote 'yes' on Proposition 11."
“What would happen to minority representation if Proposition 11 passed and citizens drew the lines? Judging by the history, the number of minority-held seats would grow.”
“The Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs is proud to join the strong and diverse coalition dedicated to passing Proposition 11. This redistricting reform measure will make politicians more accountable to the voters they represent and help end gridlock in Sacramento - which will give us the tools we need to better serve and protect the people of Los Angeles.”
"Redistricting reform is long-overdue. It is no secret that Californians fundamentally understand the conflict when legislators draw their own district boundaries. The reform promised by Proposition 11 represents one of the keys toward restoring public confidence in the Legislature."
“Proposition 11 will make our legislators accountable to voters and end the gridlock in Sacramento that often gets in the way of us having the tools to do our jobs.”
“The process now allows the politicians to choose their voters by drawing district lines almost guaranteed to preserve the jobs of incumbents and freeze in place the partisan breakdown in the Legislature. Under Proposition 11, the voters would choose the politicians, which is the way a representative democracy is supposed to work.”
Daniel Weintraub, Sacramento Bee, July 2, 2008
“Even though we come from different political parties and have had our share of differences over the years, we strongly believe that fixing our broken redistricting process is a critical first step in smart government reform. Some have dubbed this initiative a 'political power grab.' But as a Democrat and a Republican who endorse this initiative, we are confident that this measure represents much-needed good government reform that will serve voters across the state by putting control over this critical process back in their hands where it belongs.”
“The Silicon Valley Leadership Group is proud to join the good government groups and businesses in our region in supporting California Voters FIRST redistricting reform. Voters in our community are ready to put an end to the dysfunction in Sacramento that affects us all. This measure will ensure that the Silicon Valley is fairly represented in Sacramento and that our voters' voices are heard.”
“Here's an indication of how rotten Democratic-led gerrymandering is in California: A national Democratic organization is branding us one of a "Dirty Dozen" states that has rigged elections and significantly suppressed voter participation.”
“Appearances matter, and getting rid of this apparent (and real) conflict of interest will do much to restore the public's confidence in government.”
“This proposal deserves to be on the ballot as the best reform measure on the table.”
Stockton Record, Editorial, April 17, 2008
“The CDC is committed to electing leaders at all levels of government who advocate successfully for Democratic Party values and high quality of life for all Californians. The California Voters FIRST Act will make sure that happens by ensuring the individuals we elect are accountable to the people of their district and this state. The CDC is proud to join the broad and bipartisan coalition working to pass this important measure.”
“Our goal is to try to implement the kind of reforms that will hopefully allow Sacramento and the Legislature to be more responsible in dealing with the problems facing the state. One of the problems that everyone has identified is that the redistricting process has resulted in safe Democratic and Republican districts that largely drive members to the extremes than to the center.”
Leon Panetta, Co-Chair, California Forward, Capitol Weekly, May 8, 2008
“The people of California deserve a chance to vote on a new redistricting plan. And if we wait on the Legislature to give us one, we're never going to get it.”
“…[W]e support a new proposal by the good-government group Common Cause to change the corrupt methods California currently uses to create legislative districts. Who wouldn't? Well, we suppose the members of the Assembly and the state Senate who have repeatedly redrawn district maps by a few feet to intentionally exclude the homes of their rivals, that's who. But we can't think of anyone else who would find fair the current system that leaves the foxes guarding the henhouse.”