Vote 'No' on Proposition 77: Bad for California and bad for Armenian justice

[Gavur]

On the November 8 Special Election ballot, Californians will vote on an issue of great importance to the Armenian community. Proposition 77, Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to redraw legislative districts, could reduce the Armenian community's influence in the United States Congress. I encourage you to vote "No" on this risky initiative.

The current district lines give the Armenian community a great deal of influence in Congress. In recent years, Congressional supporters of Armenia have increased pressure on Turkey to recognize the Armenian genocide and have provided Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh important foreign aid.

Now, Proposition 77 threatens to redraw the districts of some of Armenia's strongest voices in Congress, including Congressmen Adam Schiff, Brad Sherman, and George Radanovich, potentially reversing the progress we have made on these important issues.

Proposition 77 could divide Armenian communities and dilute their power in Congress. Redistricting in the middle of the decade would be done in a hasty manner and would use outdated Census information. Proposition 77 is bad for California and bad for Armenian Justice. Please vote "No" on Proposition 77 on November 8.

Sincerely,

Karo Shakhkaramyan
2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved.
ASBAREZ provides this news service for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.
URL:www.asbarez.com

[Gavur]

Voters reject Prop 77

By Edwin Garcia

Mercury News


Californians on Tuesday rejected Proposition 77, the initiative to change how political districts are drawn.

With slightly more than half of the votes counted statewide, the measure was down by a solid double-digit percentage-point margin.

``At this point it's pretty clear that Prop 77 is going down to defeat,'' said Paul Hefner, a No on 77 spokesman. Voters ``said loud and clear they're not prepared to change the constitution just to suit the governor and his political agenda,'' Hefner added.

Prop 77 campaign chairman Steve Poizner said he was disappointed, yet confident because legislators have pledged to make redistricting a less political process.

The measure, one of four pushed by Gov. Schwarzenegger, would have stripped redistricting responsibilities from state lawmakers and allowed a three-member panel of retired judges.

Proponents, including prominent Republicans and even some Democrats, said Prop 77 would have guaranteed competitive elections.

Schwarzenegger has grown increasingly frustrated with implementing his reform agenda, arguing the current political system -- including how political boundaries are formed -- favors incumbents and special interests.

But opponents, including the Democratic Party, argued Prop 77 is undemocratic because the judges would be selected by politicians, with little room for public input.

The redistricting process every 10 years creates political maps for the Senate, Assembly, Board of Equalization and California's delegation to the House of Representatives.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, said it was a partisan effort by Republicans to try to gain more seats for their party.

``The voters of California don't want to be pushed around by partisans and that's what this initiative was about,'' said Lofgren.''