California Online Voter Guide

12th Edition, November 2005 Special Election

Proposition 77: Reapportionment. Initiative Constitutional Amendment. Failed

Summary

Amends state Constitution’s process for redistricting California’s Senate, Assembly, Congressional and Board of Equalization districts. Requires three-member panel of retired judges, selected by legislative leaders, to adopt new redistricting plan if measure passes and again after each national census. Panel must consider legislative, public proposals/comments and hold public hearings. Redistricting plan becomes effective immediately when adopted by judges’ panel and filed with Secretary of State. If voters subsequently reject redistricting plan, process repeats. Specifies time for judicial review of adopted redistricting plan; if plan fails to conform to requirements, court may order new plan.

Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: This measure would have the following major fiscal impact: One-time state redistricting costs, probably totaling a few million dollars. Comparable savings for each redistricting effort after 2010 (once every ten years). Full Text of Proposition (PDF)

Official Campaign Web Sites and Contact Information

Yes on Proposition 77
People's Advocate
3407 Arden Way, Sacramento, California, 95825
(916) 482-6175 or tedcosta@peoplesadvocate.org
No on Proposition 77
Californians for Fair Representation - No on 77
1127 11th Street, Suite 950, Sacramento, California, 95814
(916) 448-7724 or info@noonproposition77.com

Who Signed the Ballot Arguments

Yes on Proposition 77:

Edward J. "Ted" Costa, CEO, People's Advocate
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor, State of California
John A. Arguelles, Former California Supreme Court Justice

No on Proposition 77:

Daniel H. Lowenstein, Former Chair, Fair Political Practices Commission
Judge George H. Zenovich, Associate Justice Retired, 5th District Court of Appeal
Henry L. "Hank" Lacayo, State President, Congress of California Seniors

Follow the Money

Detailed information about all contributors for and against Prop. 77 is available through Cal-Access, the Secretary of State's campaign finance website. For the most recent contributions, select a committee and click "Late and $5000+ Contributions Received".

Major contributors supporting Prop. 77 as of October 22 include Governor Schwarzenegger's California Recovery Team of Sacramento, Arnold Schwarzenegger of Santa Monica, Steve Poizner for Insurance Commissioner of Rancho Santa Margarita and Reed Hastings of Los Gatos.

Major contributors opposing Prop. 77 as of October 22 include the Committee to Protect California's Future - No on 74, 75, 76 & 77 of Sacramento, Shangri-La Entertainment LLC of Encino, Voter Education & Registration Fund of Sacramento, Voter Registration 2006 of Sacramento and Marshall Wexler of Encino.

News Stories about the Initiatives

CVF's News Stories section provides California voters with convenient access to news articles that give an overview of the potential impact of each initiative on the ballot.

For More Information, CVF Recommends...

The California Secretary of State publishes the Official Voter Information Guide with both a Quick Summary and Detailed Information about Proposition 77.

Other good nonpartisan resources include the League of Women Voters' brief Pro/Con Analysis and longer In-Depth Analysis, the McGeorge School of Law California Initiative Review, an analysis by the California Policy Institute, and the Easy Voter Guide.

Around the Capitol's Election Track featuring up-to-date campaign contribution data.

The California Map Series

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Note: A superior court judge ruled that Proposition 77 must be removed from the ballot because the signatures obtained to qualify it were collected illegally. On August 12, the California Supreme Court ruled that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's attempt to change the way legislative districts are drawn should be placed back on November's special election ballot.