For Patricia Sinay, one of the most significant experiences of her life was her service on the California Citizens Redistricting Commission. The commission dedicated over a year to meticulously defining the state’s political boundaries. “I got to witness democracy at its core,” stated Sinay, 58, a resident of Encinitas and a consultant in the nonprofit sector. “There were 14 very diverse people who approached this work from varying backgrounds,” she explained. “Some may have had more experience with redistricting than others, but by the end, we all emerged as experts, united in our goal of crafting fair maps for the people of California.”
However, much of that hard work now faces potential reversal, as voters are being encouraged to discard the equitable congressional lines established by Sinay and her fellow commissioners. Instead, they are being asked to support a noticeably gerrymandered map that may virtually eliminate California’s Republican representation in Congress. Sinay, who identifies as a Democrat, finds herself in a complicated position. She recognizes the rationale behind this movement, viewing it as a retaliatory response to a similar Republican gerrymander in Texas, which was orchestrated at the request of former President Trump to bolster the GOP’s prospects ahead of the challenging 2026 midterm elections.
“I think what President Trump requested is absolutely abhorrent. I think that Texas doing this is absolutely abhorrent,” Sinay expressed. “I do not support the actions of the current administration. Their actions are both dangerous and unsettling.” Yet, she added, “I don’t believe this is the most effective way to counter the administration’s maneuvers.” Sinay highlighted that Republicans possess more opportunities for gerrymandering across the nation compared to Democrats, should political rivals choose to pursue such strategies. Moreover, she raised concerns about the financial implications of California’s November 4 special election, which could potentially cost hundreds of millions of dollars. “There are too many people suffering right now who could benefit from that funding in far more meaningful ways,” Sinay lamented.
Other members of the commission hold differing views. Sara Sadhwani, 45, a Democrat and political science instructor at Pomona College, spoke at a rally led by Governor Gavin Newsom to support the gerrymandering initiative. She also testified before the state Senate, advocating for lawmakers to present the issue to voters as a means to support Democrats. “These are extraordinary times,” Sadhwani asserted, “and extraordinary times demand extraordinary measures.”
Trena Turner, a pastor from Stockton and fellow commissioner, expressed immense pride in the commission’s work, believing that its unbiased approach to political line-drawing serves as a model for the rest of the nation. “I don’t think we should adhere to different rules from state to state,” she stated, referencing the situation in Texas and the threat of Republican gerrymandering in states like Florida. “The voices we need to amplify now are not just those from our individual congressional districts; we must advocate for the voices of our nation, for the soul of our nation.”
Neal Fornaciari, a Republican and chair of the redistricting commission, clarified that individual members are expressing personal opinions rather than representing the commission as a whole. Although the commission completed its map-making duties at the end of 2021, it remains active. “Commissioners are exercising their First Amendment right to free speech,” stated Fornaciari, 63, a retired mechanical engineer residing in Shingletown, California. He emphasized that “the commission is not involved in this redistricting effort,” and refrained from disclosing personal views on the Democratic gerrymander to prevent any misconceptions that he was speaking on behalf of the commission.
The California Citizens Redistricting Commission was established in 2008 after California voters approved Proposition 11, also known as the Voters First Act. This initiative, championed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, aimed to create balance in legislative races by removing redistricting authority from lawmakers, who often drew political lines to favor their interests and reduce competition. In 2010, voters expanded the commission’s oversight to include congressional races. The 14-member panel consists of an equal number of Democrats and Republicans, along with four individuals with no party affiliation. More than 30,000 Californians applied for these positions, with the final selection resulting from a rigorous process overseen by the nonpartisan state auditor.
Over 16 months, the commissioners created 176 maps, establishing district boundaries for 52 congressional members, 120 state lawmakers, and four members of the Board of Equalization, which manages tax collection in California. Commissioners volunteered their time and received no salary, although they were compensated with a $378 per diem on session days. It stands as a point of pride that no legal challenges arose against the commission’s work, a rarity in the often contentious realm of redistricting.
“If you watched our meetings, you might struggle to guess our political affiliations,” remarked Russell Yee, a Republican commissioner, in an email. “We approved our final maps unanimously, demonstrating that citizens can transcend political, racial, regional, and generational divides to collaborate effectively on public interests.” Yee, 64, who serves as the academic director at a Christian study center in Berkeley, expressed his general opposition to the Democratic gerrymandering effort, asserting that “two wrongs don’t make a right.” However, he remains open-minded regarding Proposition 50, the ballot measure slated for November.
Even if voters choose to discard the congressional maps designed by Yee and others, the commissioners feel their efforts were not in vain. They believe the political boundaries established for state legislative contests and the Board of Equalization will remain intact. Additionally, the congressional lines contributed to a series of competitive races in 2020 and 2024. “We’ve demonstrated that independent, citizen-led redistricting can succeed, even in a state as populous, demographically diverse, and geographically complex as California,” Yee concluded.
For her part, Sinay remains uncertain about the implications of Proposition 50. She seeks assurance that this initiative does not represent a “permanent power grab” and that congressional redistricting will revert to the commission following the next census, as promised by Newsom and proponents of gerrymandering. While sidelining self-interested politicians is undoubtedly a preferable method for creating political maps, she insists it is ultimately up to the voters to determine the future of California’s redistricting process.
