A group of influential California Congressional representatives, including U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have sent Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger a letter describing their opposition to Proposition 11, which would reform how political districts are drawn in the state.

The group, which included U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) and U.S. Rep. Mike Honda (D-San Jose), said the measure ignored political realities in California and would hurt representation of some communities.

"Proposition 11 will create, arguably, the most powerful political commission in the State of California. Unfortunately, this initiative does not in any way ensure that the 14 members of this powerful new commission will reflect the gender, racial, or geographic diversity of the state's 36 million people," state the letter, which was reported on California Majority Report's Web site.

If approved, Proposition 11 would have a redistricting commission formed after the 2010 U.S. Census to draw new state Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization districts.

The members of that commission would be selected at random from a pool of registered voters who did not hold public office, and with representation from Democrats, Republicans and third-party or unaffiliated voters.

The commission would draw new boundaries based on equitable districts whenever possible, with consideration to keeping undefined "communities of interest" together.

The Democrats noted that much of the funding to put Proposition 11 on the ballot came from Republican groups, though independent groups such as Common Cause were the primary public support for the measure.

State Democrats have displayed skepticism at best of Proposition 11, though an organized campaign against it has not yet materialized.

State Congressional districts, such as those held by Pelosi and other letter-signers, would continue to be drawn by the state Senate under Proposition 11. However, the senators would have to draw such districts using the same criteria as the redistricting committee.