A debate on independent redistricting commissions
The Tallahassee Democrat reports: On Thursday, both left a debate on the topic [on of redistricting] shaking their heads. The debate, between a law-school professor and a national advocate for independent commissions, was part of the National Conference of State Legislatures' annual conference. ...
The debate, between Daniel Lowenstein, a professor at the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law, and Cecilia Martinez, director of the Washington, D.C.-based Reform Institute, was of special interest to Florida lawmakers in light of a campaign to put three amendments on the 2006 ballot creating an independent redistricting commission. ...
"Voters are troubled by politicians drawing their own districts," Martinez said. "I don't think you can remove politics from the process, but you can add independence to the process." ...
Lowenstein, the law professor, agrees that redistricting is a political and often bitterly partisan process. He just doesn't believe that taking that responsibility from lawmakers and giving it to an appointed commission will change that.
"I think that despite the fact that of course there's a conflict of interest, the legislature is the place where redistricting ought to be done," he said. -- Tallahassee Democrat | 08/22/2005 | Lawmakers cool to redistricting