pages: CityCouncil/2008-09-02.pdf, 5
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CityCouncil | 2008-09-02 | 5 | Mayor Johnson inquired whether the Proposition has a formula that the proposed Commission would use to establish districts. The Deputy City Manager responded the Commission has guidelines. Mayor Johnson stated the guidelines are vague; that she is not sure whether the measure would solve the problem. Ms. Quick, League of Women Voters of Alameda, stated there are a series of requirements regarding how the districts would be drawn; districts must be drawn according to clear mapping rules in the following order : 1) equal population between districts, 2) respect for the Voting Rights Act, and 3) respect for County, cities, and communities of interest. Mayor Johnson inquired whether the Voting Rights Act applies to federal districts also. Ms. Quick responded in the affirmative; stated Congressional representatives do not want to include Congressional districts; the process is very transparent Mayor Johnson stated federal districts are as bad or worse than some of the State districts. Joanne McKray, League of Women Voters of Alameda, stated the Voting Rights Act is a result of the Civil Rights era to protect minorities from abuse; the courts have not been kind to the Act ; the courts state that legislative privilege takes preference over the Voting Rights Act; the Voting Rights Act would be strengthened if the Proposition passes and would be part of the California constitution for the first time. Mayor Johnson stated the political system is not working very well; that she is worried that the system would be substituted with another political system which would allow people to fight with communities of interest to create voting districts. Councilmember Matarrese stated that he supports the measure because the redistricting process would be open and has rules. Councilmember deHaan stated gerrymandering has worsened over the years; that he is surprised that the issue is still discussed. Ms. McKray stated that California has been dubbed as one of the dirty dozen. Ms. Quick stated that Hispanic and African American communities Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 5 September 2, 2008 | CityCouncil/2008-09-02.pdf |