Redistricting Commission recommendations needed

[beth_leonard]

I applied to be a redistricting commissioner for the state of California. I made the first cut and now I need to submit three letters of recommendation. Would anyone (not a family member) like to recommend me? I am a member of the opposite political party from most of my friends, but I believe that when both parties have an interest in discussing politics I am a good listener even if I disagree with the other person's conclusions. Sometimes I learn something and even change my mind. I have a strong analytical background and the ability to understand computer programs, data, and statistics.

It will basically be a 9 month long more than full-time job from next January through September, and it's very important to me that it be done correctly. If you want something done right...

What they want in the letter is here: https://application.wedrawthelines.ca.gov/pdfs/letters_of_recommendation.pdf

Good letters of recommendations show strengths and weaknesses, are detailed, insightful and professional. They should provide important insight into an individual’s character, integrity, and motivation for applying to serve on the commission. They should also address the individual’s ability to be impartial, their relevant analytical skills, and their appreciation for the state’s demography and geography.

I'm assuming that I'll need to end up asking specific people in person to write me recommendations, but just in case someone is chomping at the bit to do it I thought I'd send out a blanket request.

When I get my own essays written I'll probably be asking all my friends to help proof read them as well.
--Beth

Comments

[steuard.livejournal.com]

Several comments:

1. Wow, so California is actually doing this? Finally? Fantastic! (It's desperately needed.)

2. If anything, I would be more concerned about getting the right sort of members from the other party than from my own (sorry about that "the", all you libertarians and greens out there, but yeah). The commission's membership is bound to be split 50/50 (or awfully close to it), so to accomplish anything at all it's crucial that its members be rational people rather than ideologues.

3. Quite independent of political opinion, you've got exactly the analytical mind, technical ability, and sense of fairness that I fervently wish every member of the committee will have. I suspect that even a committee composed entirely of Beth-clones would deliver a result that I could accept, despite our political differences. Even with just one of you on the committee, I'd be vastly reassured about the quality of whatever results were eventually delivered. (Boy, would I love to see a committee composed largely of my friends, from both/all parties.)

4. Do your letter writers need to be current California residents to write a letter, or for it to be taken seriously? Is there a limit to the number of letters you can/should have sent on your behalf? Do you have a dozen people you're thinking of asking who have more impressive credentials than I do?

[beth_leonard]

1. Yes! Yay! The law has a clause so that "communities of interest" have to be kept together, in addition to following natural geographical boundaries, and that's going to be the toughest part of following through (I remember when I voted for it thinking that the undefined term was going to be a problem, but even with it in there it's so much better than having the legislature in power drawing it's own boundaries that I'm happy the law passed.)

2. The law was written so that the committee is composed of 14 members -- 5 from each of the two leading parties (i.e. 5 Democrats and 5 Republicans, but if another leading party emerges in the future they would get the seats) and 4 from other parties or registered independents. The committee members must have been registered for their party continuously for the last 5 years, and must have voted in at least 2 of the last 3 state-wide elections. The committee members can't have made political contributions of more than $2500, nor can their immediate family members. Unfortunately, the way they've written the job description, committee members are expected to immediately hire staff members for whom this requirement may not apply.

4. Three Californians is probably better but if I have difficulty finding 3 Californians and you would be interested in writing a letter for me, I would sincerely appreciate it. You have lived in California for a long time and know me quite well.

I'll keep you in mind, thanks!
--Beth

[beth_leonard]

I've got three Californians ready to do the job. On the off chance someone gets direly ill shortly before the letter is due, I'll keep you in mind, but it appears that a formal recommendation from you won't be necessary. Thanks!
--Beth

[dushai.livejournal.com]

Redistricting doesn't have to be (and shouldn't be) a partisan issue. Surely both parties can agree that gerrymandering is bad, that it's wrong to misrepresent the will of the people by arranging for some of their votes to be irrelevant, that political boundaries should reflect civic boundaries where possible and not be overly complicated, etc. In that regard, it doesn't matter what political party you are, only that you're not a rabid partisan who will judge the success of the redistricting by whether it promotes your party.

I would write a recommendation for you, except for the whole buying-a-house-and-therefore-somewhat-distracted thing. :)

[beth_leonard]

Surely both parties can agree that gerrymandering is bad

Both parties of voters agree that gerrymandering is bad, unfortunately the legislators who are up for re-election are the ones in the past drawing the lines. They ask themselves, "Do I draw lines that are fair? or do I draw lines that will cost me an extra $100,000 in campaign fundraising, and I might not even win?" There is a bit of conflict-of-interest with the old system.

--Beth

[steuard.livejournal.com]

If I recall correctly, Iowa draws its district lines via an automatic computer algorithm. Their list of "communities of interest" is probably less complicated than California's, but I really, really like the idea.

While I was in grad school, my friends and I entertained ourselves at lunch for a few weeks discussing what might go into a good redistricting algorithm; it's clearly quite complicated, but I think it could be done.

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

I am happy (...ok, and startled) to see California doing something sensible with its politics.

I am not well-qualified to write you a letter, but I am all about proofreading/critiquing.