Final answer:
The statement about California's congressional district lines being drawn by an independent commission consisting of citizens and retired judges is true, reflecting the state's efforts to combat gerrymandering and improve fair representation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that California's congressional district lines are drawn by an independent commission comprising regular citizens and retired judges is true. In an effort to combat gerrymandering, California established an independent citizen's commission responsible for drafting political district boundaries. This commission aims to create fair and competitive electoral districts and decrease the influence of political extremism by not allowing politicians to draw the district lines that favor parties or incumbents.
Current reforms in California have shown active measures to promote more equitable representation, as seen with the creation of the independent commission. For example, redistricting in the San Fernando Valley facilitated a more representative outcome for Latino voters, which altered the political landscape and resulted in a milestone victory for Latino representation.
Only a few states, including California, use fully independent commissions to draw the lines for both state legislative and congressional districts. This approach is seen as a method to ensure voting districts do not unfairly benefit any political party or incumbent, thus aiming to uphold the principles of democracy and fair representation.