Final answer:
Proposition 20 empowers an independent commission to redistrict congressional districts in California, aiming to foster fairer elections and combat gerrymandering by removing this power from potentially partisan state legislatures.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Proposition 20, the political authority given the power to redistrict the congressional districts is an independent commission. In California, the voter-approved independent citizen's commission is tasked with drawing political district boundaries. The intention behind establishing such a commission was to create competitive electoral districts that would combat political extremism and ensure fairer electoral outcomes, especially considering the historical prevalence of gerrymandering.
This shift towards independent commissions stems from the concern that allowing state legislatures to control the redistricting process leads to manipulation of the districts to favor the political party in power. Actions by states like Arizona and California have supported the movement toward independent commissions to ensure that neither political party has an unfair advantage. These changes are designed to uphold the principles of the Voting Rights Act and to prevent districts from being drawn in a manner that lessens the voting strength of minorities.