How to Avoid an Ugly Redistricting Circus : Adherence to principles--decency and balance--are keys

Redrawing legislative and congressional maps isn’t a topic that holds much interest for the public. But this decennial process, which will come to a head in Sacramento this week, will affect every voter until the next century. That’s why the plans must be more than mere attempts to preserve incumbencies or launch legislators into higher office. Common sense, maturity and adherence to democratic principles are called for--a tall order if past reapportionments are any indication.

In concept, redistricting is simple: Maps for the state Senate and Assembly and California’s congressional delegation are adjusted after each census to equalize districts. But, in practice, reapportionment is an everyone-for-himself scramble in which opportunism is the order of the day. To the extent they think of others, those in power protect friends and punish enemies. Losers complain, but, when the tables turn, they do the same. All in all, it’s not normally a shining moment in the Capitol.

ACE CARD: Indications this year are that, while there is plenty of back-room politicking going on, there isn’t the kind of partisan taunting that took place in 1981. That’s because Democrats hold only half of the cards. They still control both houses of the Legislature, where the plans are drawn and approved. But the GOP may have an ace to play: Gov. Pete Wilson, in what may be a preemptive maneuver to give himself more negotiating room, Friday asked the state Supreme Court to begin drawing new district lines because lawmakers failed to act in “a timely manner.”

As always, legislative districts total 40 for the Senate and 80 for the Assembly. But, because of population growth, California will gain seven seats in Congress--to a total of 52.

So far, the specifics of only one plan--the Senate’s redistricting-- have been revealed, although the deadline for the Legislature’s final vote on all three is Friday. The state Senate plan presented last week by Democrats essentially makes way for two districts reconfigured to favor Republicans. That’s a reflection of the GOP’s increased voter registration over the last decade, and a nod to Gov. Wilson.

The Senate plan also redraws two districts in which minorities would have a strong chance to win, including one in Los Angeles County.

Plans for the Assembly and congressional delegation also must incorporate minority considerations in order to pass a review by the U.S. Justice Department. In other states, the department has displayed a get-tough attitude on minority representation, even when minority groups themselves have signed off on individual plans. The department will do no less in California; since 1980, the state’s Latino population has grown by two-thirds.

The federal Voting Rights Act, in fact, has put the whole process of redistricting into a quandary. Good-government types always have decried blatant gerrymandering and held out for compact districts that keep together “communities of interest.” But it’s difficult to create a minority-dominated district without creative adjustments of the lines.

HIGH STAKES: What we would like to see is a system where everybody has a fair chance. Districts designed with several substantial minority blocks are better in principle than districts that guarantee a seat to a particular group. Districts should encourage coalition politics--rather than simply guarantee lifetime political jobs for incumbents.

Wilson has said he wants districts that foster competitive elections between the two parties. That’s a worthy goal, although somewhat idealistic given that legislators primarily want the safest districts they can get.

Redistricting is an opportunity--not to grab power but to balance the needs of various communities in an effort to produce quality representation. Here’s hoping the Legislature seizes the opportunity.