Why do Democrats allow an independent redistricting commission in California?

[SevenEleven]

The short answer is Dems lack a killer instinct  - 7 more seats is massive considering that makes up for GOP gerrymandering in NC/OH/TX or just in general less favorable maps elsewhere

Politics is a long term game. Quick fixes don't work out in almost any aspect of life. If Republicans want to gerrymander themselves seats for the next ten years and out of existence in 25, they can go right ahead.

[Mr.Bakari-Sellers]

Orange County was solid R before 2018, now that its D, the Dems dont need a partisan gerrymander to cut out D districts in Orange County.  They have maxed out their gaines in Cali, just like if Garcia survives 2020, he will be redistricted out, due a loss of 1 seat in Cali

[MarkD]

The Voters First Act, passed by the statewide electorate in November 2008, and Voters First Act for Congress, passed in November 2010, very clearly takes away from the state legislature the power to draw the map. The CA Democrats "allow" the independent redistricting commission because they have no choice -- they were overruled by the voters.

[Dr. MB]

The people voted for it. Also I highly doubt that you could get a 52-0 map. Prior to the commission Democrats had gerrymandered the state and couldn't get anything even close to that.

I've tried it and it's very, very possible

[Abolish ICE]

Better question: Why didn't Democrats put independent redistricting commission ballot measures up South Carolina, Georgia, Florida (taking it out of the legislature's hands completely via state constitutional amendment), Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Arizona?  Do some of those states not allow ballot initiatives?  I know Ohio and Florida allow them, if nothing else.

[Fascism Must Be Defeated]

Better question: Why didn't Democrats put independent redistricting commission ballot measures up South Carolina, Georgia, Florida (taking it out of the legislature's hands completely via state constitutional amendment), Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Arizona?  Do some of those states not allow ballot initiatives?  I know Ohio and Florida allow them, if nothing else.

Yeah, most of those states don't allow ballot initiatives. Ohio passed a weird redistricting amendment like NY's in 2018 which creates something of a bipartisan commission.

[lfromnj]

Better question: Why didn't Democrats put independent redistricting commission ballot measures up South Carolina, Georgia, Florida (taking it out of the legislature's hands completely via state constitutional amendment), Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Arizona?  Do some of those states not allow ballot initiatives?  I know Ohio and Florida allow them, if nothing else.

Arizona already has a commission, remember the Mathismander?(The congressional map is meh but the legislative used  population deviation to give Democrats 0.5 to 0.75 seats)

[Abolish ICE]

Better question: Why didn't Democrats put independent redistricting commission ballot measures up South Carolina, Georgia, Florida (taking it out of the legislature's hands completely via state constitutional amendment), Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Arizona?  Do some of those states not allow ballot initiatives?  I know Ohio and Florida allow them, if nothing else.

Arizona already has a commission, remember the Mathismander?(The congressional map is meh but the legislative used  population deviation to give Democrats 0.5 to 0.75 seats)

My bad, AZ has a fair House map.  But FL and OH definitely allow ballot initiatives/amendments and the Ohio “commission” is such a toothless joke that Republicans were the ones pushing it.