In 2008, California voters passed an initiative to set up a non-partisan commission for redistricting state legislative districts. Ordinary citizens have a chance to serve on the Redistricting Commission, and there are slots reserved for people who are registered voters, but who are not registered in either of the two major parties. The California State Auditor has just released proposed regulations, giving the details for how the commision will be appointed and how it will do its work. See here. Thanks to Mark Seidenberg for this news.