Citizens, not Gov. Newsom, should oversee drawing of congressional districts | Opinion

Created by California voters through ballot initiatives, the state’s independent redistricting commission was designed to curb political abuse by placing the power to draw congressional districts in the hands of an impartial, citizen-led body.

The maps produced by the commission have not been perfect, but they were drawn according to the process the voters demanded.

Now, Gov. Gavin Newsom, in his quest to grab national headlines, is proposing to dismiss the will of the voters. He is on a mission to strip power from the voter-approved California Citizens Redistricting Commission.

The governor is setting a dangerous precedent that threatens the foundational principle of fair representation, reducing it to a zero-sum game of power politics.

Gov. Newsom is thumbing his nose at our democracy. He is disregarding the will of the voters and bringing back gerrymandering — where deals are struck in backrooms without transparency or public input. His justification that “if Texas can do it, then we can too” will only deepen pointless partisan squabbles.

This is a manipulative and cynical abuse of power that will cost taxpayers at least $235 million. It does not take a genius to see that other spending priorities should come first.

Many Californians, including those in my district, lack clean, reliable sources of water. Low-income residents do not have access to adequate health care, and providers are reimbursed pennies on the dollar. The price of food, gas and other everyday necessities is at an all-time high.

Yet, the governor is turning his back on the struggles of everyday Californians.

California’s Citizens Redistricting Commission was born out of voter frustration and the desire for fairness. It was a bold, bipartisan reform intended to restore public trust. Commissioners traveled up and down the state to hold public meetings and hear input as they drew district lines in public.

This rigorous, transparent process was designed to prevent political bias and increase public trust.

Newsom’s power grab erodes that trust. Undermining the commission’s work now — just to make a flashy headline — is shortsighted and insulting to voters.

While I do not always agree with every voter-approved initiative, I will always honor the will of the people. Respecting voters’ choices is a fundamental part of the democratic process. In a democracy, the power belongs to the people, not the politicians. Otherwise, the public will rightfully lose faith in the legitimacy of our system.

Rather than snubbing the voters, the governor should honor their will and continue to model what a nonpartisan commission can achieve to preserve our democracy.

California should double down on transparency, nonpartisan processes, and respect for the voters. When politics get ugly, we must rise above partisanship.

Newsom’s desire to gain national attention for personal ambition must not come at the expense of voter-approved reforms. Democracy cannot be compromised. We cannot — must not — abandon our fundamental principles.

In this great state, we do not win by discarding a system the voters built. We win by proving that reform works.

We should fight fire with fairness — not with more fire.

Assemblywoman Alexandra M. Macedo, R-Tulare, is the Vice Chair of the Assembly Elections Committee. Macedo represents the 33rd District, which includes Tulare, Kings and Fresno counties.