Seen the proposed congressional maps? Voters need to

The big deception is on. Supporters of Proposition 50 will tell you its main purpose is to protect democracy, when it actually does quite the opposite. The one-sided control of the legislature in Sacramento and the self-absorbed governor both fought hard in 2010 to defeat the initiative that took away their meddling with the district lines. No matter what the carefully crafted language says in 50, once the legislature gets control of redistricting, they will figure out a way to continue their influence in the process beyond 2030. Does anyone really think that once they twist and contort these lines to their benefit that those lines will actually change in the future? If you haven't seen the map with their proposed changes to the district lines, you really need to. It is the most convoluted, non-sensical map that was actually not done by the legislature but by a shadowy group of ultra-partisans. It is counter to all the basic principles of how district lines should be drawn. One of the most egregious actions is how many communities of like interests are split up, even small communities like Lodi, which now has three congressional districts representing it. This splinters and dilutes the voices in these communities. Having districts that fairly represent the political, cultural and geographic disposition within those areas is critical. Proposition 50 works against that objective. On balance, it would be expected that a statewide level of representation of political parties would closely align with the percentage of registered voters in those parties. Republicans in California have nearly 26% of the registered voters, but the current makeup of the districts only gives them an opportunity to represent 17%, but if the governor and the legislature get their way, it will likely go down to only 6%. Tell me what is fair about that. I don't care who does it, gerrymandering is flat-out wrong and it weakens the foundations of our republic. We must reject the manipulations and deceptions that are being promoted by those supporting this blatant power grab. I urge you to take the time to vote on this very consequential issue and to vote NO on 50. Wayne Nader Auburn Please vote NO on Proposition 50 Proposition 50 is a blatant attempt on the part of Governor Newsom to gerrymander the congressional districting map for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 elections, instead of the one drawn by the bipartisan California Citizens Redistricting Commission. This is not the responsible government California deserves! Many concerned Democrats are against this measure, as well as Republicans. Per Jeanne Raya, a Democrat who was the chair of California's first independent redistricting commission: "In 2008, the Voters First Act created California's Citizens Redistricting Commission, an independent body consisting of people who reflected the state's diversity. This independent commission ended the backroom partisan gerrymandering that held California hostage for decades. "Commission members spent nearly a year drawing new maps, giving citizens access to more than 100 public meetings and different ways to submit written comments. This gave voters a fair chance at electing accountable representatives. California's commission is now considered the gold standard for U.S. redistricting, free of partisan self-interest and conducted fully in public view." Well said! Newsom is making a power grab to undo the will of the voters and stack the congressional deck in his favor. He is declaring a political crisis to gain his own political advantage. Partisan gerrymandering undermines the trust of California voters. The independent redistricting commission exists to ensure this doesn't happen! Newsom does NOT respect the will of the people of California. His sole motivation is for political gain. Please send a strong message to Newsom and legislative leaders on Nov. 4 to respect the will of the people and not sacrifice the voter-approved independent redistricting commission for obviously short-sighted, selfish political advantage. Protect California from gerrymandering and vote NO on Proposition 50. R. Smith Auburn Rep. Kiley deserves our support I read with amusement the Reader Input letter written by Emily Gaber ("Kiley cherry-picks facts to support narrative," Sept. 12, Lincoln News Messenger). She refers to Rep. Kevin Kiley as a "cherry picker" of facts for not deep diving into the Texas redistricting plan that she calls "gerrymandering." Perhaps she is unaware the Biden DOJ filed suit against Texas to better represent minorities, especially in its growing urban areas. The Texas response has been to actually redistrict their state. But somehow, Rep. Kiley is required to report on something he has nothing to do with or be relegated to "cherry-picking" status? Let's get real for a second. His stance against Prop. 50 is a stance to maintain the integrity of our election process, in California, which has been gerrymandered since Burton in 1980, then again in 2000. This is why we have an independent non-partisan commission to review our redistricting apparatus every 10 years, a commission that speaks loudly for democracy. Turning this over to the fully controlled Democrat State Legislature in a $250,000,000 special election power grab upends the process the voters need and voted for. The Texas argument deflects attention from the real issue that affects real Californians. Rep Kiley correctly protects the citizens of Placer County by fighting for our democracy. Rep. Kiley has also been called a "coward" for not supporting release of the Epstein List. It is widely known this list has a high probability of containing hundreds of names of people who may have just been in the same room with Epstein, been photographed with him, or have had any association with him whatsoever. Is it fair that they be smeared for the rest of their lives along with the guilty by just being on "the list?" Rep. Kiley is one of the strongest and most moral leaders we have ever had in the history of California. He fully deserves our support. Arnie Knipp Lincoln People of California already voted on redistricting Editor, The people of California have voted twice to take redistricting out of the hands of the politicians, Proposition 11 in 2008 and Proposition 20 in 2010. These propositions set up a commission and gave them the responsibility of drawing California's congressional districts. Proposition 50, in my opinion, is unconstitutional and should be called such by the California Supreme Court. Mary Ann Frank Auburn