How I’m voting for the environment in the Nov. 4, 2008 election.

My no here’s a tentative one, and I encourage people to weigh in with additional info that may change my vote. But as of now, I’m voting no.

If Prop 11 passes, legislative district lines would be redrawn by a new 14-member commission. Why’s a redrawing necessary? Right now, the state legislature sets the district lines — meaning that the very people whose getting elected depends on how the lines are drawn get to decide how the lines get drawn — thus creating a conflict of interest.

Everyone, it seems, agrees that the current method of redistricting is less than ideal. What people disagree on is whether or not the new method Prop 11 would usher in will be any better.

Opponents of Prop 11 point out that the 14 commissioners would still be appointed by state bureaucrats — albeit via a complex process after months of negotiation — thus simply adding another layer of bureaucracy without actually making the redistricting process more democratic. Accordingly, the new process, opponents such as the California League of Conservation Voters say, will not reduce partisanship. Even the LA Times, which is pro Prop 11, says “Regrettably, there is still too much participation by the political parties.”

In addition, opponents say that Prop 11 lacks transparency. The Green Party of California argues that “If the voters are dissatisfied with the status quo, they know who to blame. Drawing electoral districts is a profoundly political act. Creating a Redistricting process with unelected, unknown, faceless people, chosen by a Kafka-esque process, is moving away from accountability.”

However, supporters of Prop 11 disagree. The League of Women Voters supports Prop 11, asserting that the new process would require “an open and transparent process with due notice, public hearings, and no communications outside of the hearings.” The backers of Prop 11 generally say the initiative isn’t a cure-all for our legislative ills, but that it’s a small, positive step forward.

Mixed into all of this is the fact that the groups pro or against Prop 11 may simply be pushing their own agendas, without caring much about whether or not Prop 11 will improve the larger democratic process. For example, the Cali Democrats may be against Prop 11 simply to better ensure they retain their seats in the Cali legislature — and eco groups may support Prop 11 to keep in power Democrats who care more about environmental issues than their Republican challengers.

As you can see from the post thus far, the groups whose endorsements I usually trust are split on this issue (Sierra Club doesn’t have a stance). I guess I remain unconvinced that Prop 11 will actually improve things due to the reasons mentioned above — and I’m more comfortable sticking with the devil I know.

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