Nearly two-thirds of California registered voters want to maintain the state’s independent redistricting commission rather than return congressional map-drawing authority to the Legislature, according to new poll.
The survey found 64 percent of respondents support keeping the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission in place. Only 36 percent backed Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposal to transfer redistricting powers back to state lawmakers.
The new poll results show opposition across demographic lines. Male voters rejected the governor’s plan by 69-31 percent margin, while female voters opposed it 60-40 percent. College-educated Californians opposed the change 69-31 percent, and non-college voters rejected it 61-39 percent.
Baby Boomers opposed returning redistricting to the Legislature 68-32 percent, while Gen Z voters rejected the idea 62-38 percent.
California voters established the independent commission through ballot initiatives in 2008 and 2010. The measures were designed to reduce political influence in drawing legislative and congressional district boundaries.
Newsom has suggested changing the current system amid nationwide redistricting battles. The Governor cited concerns that Republican-controlled states are gaining advantages through their own redistricting efforts.
A UC Berkeley political science professor involved in the polling said the results reflect distrust of politicians. The independent commission remains popular because voters passed the original measures and maintain doubt about legislative motives.
The Governor recently sent a letter to President Trump regarding California redistricting action in response to Texas redistricting efforts. Newsom warned against what he described as unprecedented mid-decade gerrymandering attempts.
California’s current independent redistricting system requires the commission to draw maps without considering partisan political data. The commission includes equal numbers of Democrats, Republicans, and unaffiliated members.
The poll surveyed 1,445 California registered voters between July 28 and August 12.
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