FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 6, 2005

Download a printable Adobe Acrobat Copy of the Coalition Model here

PARTNER CONTACTS:  

• J.C. Flores, MALDEF (213) 629-2512, ext. 124;
• Steven J. Reyes, MALDEF, ext. 133;
• Kathay Feng, CA Common Cause (213) 252-4552;
• Eugene Lee, APALC (213) 977-7500 ext. 212

CIVIL RIGHTS COALITION UNVEILS MODEL REDISTRICTING ACT

As Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the California State Legislature consider redistricting reform proposals, MALDEF, the William C. Velasquez Institute (WCVI), the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC), and California Common Cause, are releasing a “Model Redistricting Act” to serve as a “good government” response to proposals that have been offered. The Model Redistricting Act includes adherence to the following principles:

- drawing of districts by a citizen’s commission that strives to reflect the socio-economic, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity of

California ’s population;

- protection of the federal Voting Rights Act to ensure that population increases are adequately reflected in boundary adjustments and are not subordinated to incumbency protection interests or other redistricting criteria;

- checks and balances to guarantee that commission decisions are fair, independent, and in the best interest of all Californians; and

- an open and transparent process in all stages of the redistricting process, including meaningful public participation.

The essential features of the Model Redistricting Act include:

- nine-member citizens’ Independent Redistricting Commission chosen from a pool of diverse applicants;

            - strong provisions preventing conflicts of interest;

- reaffirmation of California’s commitment to voter protections under the Voting Rights Act;

- meaningful opportunity to participate in the redistricting process, including full public hearings and tools for concerned citizens to provide input; and

            - prohibitions on private communications with Commissioners or staff.

“At its core, the Model Redistricting Act strives to ensure that all aspects of the redistricting process are in full public view and that Californians have a meaningful opportunity to participate,” stated the Coalition in a joint letter.  “It is our hope that this Model Redistricting Act, and the principles which animate it, will serve as guideposts for the continuing discussions in Sacramento and as Californians consider the redistricting initiative that will appear on the November 2005 special election ballot.”

Continued the letter, “The Governor and the Legislature seem committed to truly reforming the redistricting process.  Such efforts must not legislate a culture that allows for backroom deals and leaves the public with little meaningful input.  We hope that the opportunity to bolster public confidence in our elected representatives and the redistricting process is not squandered.”

The William C. Velásquez Institute (WCVI) is a tax-exempt, non-profit, non-partisan organization chartered in 1985. The purpose of WCVI is to conduct research aimed at improving the level of political and economic participation in Latino and other underrepresented communities. Chartered in 1985, the William C. Velasquez Institute is a nonpartisan, non-profit, Latino-oriented research and policy think tank with offices in San Antonio, Texas and Los Angeles, California .

A national nonprofit organization founded 1968, MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) promotes and protects the rights of Latinos through advocacy, community education and outreach, leadership development, higher education scholarships and when necessary, through the legal system.        

The Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for civil rights, providing legal services and education, and building coalitions to positively influence and impact Asian Pacific Americans and to create a more equitable and harmonious society.  APALC is affiliated with the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium in Washington, D.C.

Common Cause California is a non-profit, non-partisan citizens’ lobby organization. Common Cause believes that by banding together, citizens can make a difference. We throw a spotlight on issues that affect all Californians and work to strengthen public participation and to ensure that the political process serve the public interest, rather than the special interests.  The purpose of Common Cause is clear: make public officials and public institutions accountable and responsive to citizens.