Redistricting reform measure Proposition 11 teetered between pass and fail early Wednesday, with 50.9 percent in favor and 49.1 percent opposed, with 78.1 percent of the precincts counted.

Paul Hefner, a spokesman for the anti-11 group Citizens for Accountability, said he was encouraged that early returns showed the measure passing 55-45, then the numbers slowly moved toward more opposition as the night went on.

"I think we just have to watch and see how it turns out," he said.

Hefner said he was encouraged because many of the returns still to be counted come from larger cities where he said the measure had less support.

Molly Weedn, a spokeswoman for Yes on 11, said her campaign was still cautiously optimistic, but unable to say either way.

"We've got a lot of Democratic support as well," she said about the cities where precincts had yet to be counted. "I think there's a clear indication that people are ready for a change in Sacramento, they're sick of the gridlock."

Proposition 11  was opposed by the state Democratic party, but backed by government reform groups, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and prominent Democrats such as former Gov. Gray Davis and state Treasurer Bill Lockyer.

EARLIER on PolitickerCA.com:

• Both sides of Prop. 11 hopeful on results
• Proposition 11 ads focus on emotion, not nuts and bolts
• Prop. 11 leading, short of 50 percent in new Field Poll