Guest Opinion | William Paparian: Redistricting Should Never Be Used by Politicians as a Tool for Self-Preservation

Every ten years, following the national census, states across the country face the consequential task of redrawing their legislative and congressional districts—a process known as redistricting. While it may seem technical or bureaucratic, the way these new boundaries are constructed can profoundly shape political representation, community cohesion, and the health of democracy itself.

In some states, lines are drawn by legislators with vested interests; in others, by independent commissions or panels intended to reflect a broader, more impartial perspective.

California has become a beacon for transparent and equitable redistricting, setting an example for the nation with our independent commission model. By entrusting ordinary citizens with the authority to draw electoral maps, California reaffirmed its belief in a democracy that is both participatory and just.

Proposals have surfaced that threaten to return the redistricting process to the hands of politicians, reviving concerns about backroom dealings and political favoritism.

By shifting control away from an independent commission, the proposal risks undermining fair representation and eroding public confidence in the electoral process.

The independent commission embodies more than good governance. It represents a contract between citizens and their government, rooted in transparency, fairness, and access. Undoing this progress would risk opening the door to the very abuses that once silenced communities and diluted their voices.

When redistricting power rests solely in the hands of elected officials, partisanship too often supersedes public interest. California’s independent commission was established precisely to prevent gerrymandering and restore trust in the democratic process. Dismantling this safeguard would be a step backward, inviting suspicion and cynicism at a moment when the state can least afford further division. Instead of reverting to opaque practices, we should strive to strengthen the mechanisms that empower voters and ensure that every community has an equal voice in shaping its future.

The independent commission stands as a testament to California’s commitment to fair play—a bulwark against the corrosive influence of unchecked partisanship. Its existence is not merely procedural; it symbolizes the enduring belief that the shape of our districts should be decided by facts and public input, not the fleeting ambitions of those in power.

To abandon this principle is to invite a return to a troubled past, where citizens found themselves at the mercy of political maneuvering and self-interest.

Those who advocate for mid-cycle changes often cite national trends or the actions of other states as justification, but California’s commitment to integrity should not be sacrificed for short-term political gains or to settle scores with rival regions.

The stakes are nothing less than the integrity of our democracy and the faith of the people who depend upon it.

Former Pasadena Mayor William Paparian is a Captain (CA) Judge Advocate in the California State Guard and a Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney. The views expressed here are his own and not those of the California Military Department or the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.