What are the two California Propositions for this year’s election that aim to prevent tampering with district boundaries?

The answer to this question is a bit complex. First, a
little background is necessary.  In 2008, Proposition 11 in California established the
Citizens Redistricting Commission.  This 14 member commission, made up of Democrats,
Republicans, and representatives of neither party, would replace the state legislature
in drawing up the boundaries for the state’s 120 legislative districts and four Board of
Equalization districts. Previously, the state legislature determined these
boundaries.

There are two propositions on the California
ballot in 2010 that deal with district boundaries.  First is Proposition 20.  This would
turn over the responsibility of drawing boundaries for California’s districts in the
U.S. House of Representatives to the Citizens Redistricting Commission established in
2008 by Proposition 11.

The second is Proposition 27.  This
proposition would eliminate the Citizens Redistricting Commission and return the
responsibility of determining state legislative and Board of Equalization districts back
to the state legislature.

If both propositions pass, the
one receiving the greatest number of “yes’ votes would be the only one to go into
effect.