SACRAMENTO — Five leading congressional Democrats on Wednesday called a redistricting initiative backed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unconstitutional, saying minority voting rights would be trampled if it were approved by voters.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the others sent a letter to the governor also expressing concern that Proposition 11 on the November ballot was a bid to boost Republican representation in the state Legislature.

"It is a vehicle to increase Republican influence in state government at a time when the Republican Party is losing influence with the general electorate," they wrote.

The others signing the letter were California Reps. Zoe Lofgren, chairwoman of California's Democratic delegation; Joe Baca, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus; Mike Honda, chairman of the Asian Pacific American Caucus; and Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick of Michigan, chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Panel might not reflect population

Specifically, they complained that the proposed 14-member redistricting commission might not reflect California's gender, racial or geographic diversity when legislative boundaries are redrawn after each national census.

The initiative was put on the general election ballot by Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California and other groups. It is supported by Schwarzenegger, whose campaign committee has been a major donor to the Proposition 11 campaign.

Julie Soderlund, spokeswoman for Schwarzenegger's committee, said it was unfortunate that congressional Democrats were opposing what she called a bipartisan initiative. She said it would put minority voting protections into the state Constitution.

"This measure actually strengthens protections for the very things these lawmakers seem concerned about," Soderlund said. "I think what you're seeing is politicians holding onto the power they currently have rather than supporting a fair redistricting initiative."

If voters approve the initiative, the commission would take the power for drawing districts for the Assembly, Senate and tax-collecting Board of Equalization away from the Legislature. Critics call the current arrangement a conflict of interest because it allows the majority party to preserve its status.

Legislature would draw congressional lines

Democrats have majorities in both houses of the Legislature and in California's congressional delegation. The Legislature would continue to draw boundaries for congressional seats.

In a joint statement, the California AARP, Common Cause and the League of Women Voters of California said Democrats' opposition illustrated why voters should pass Proposition 11.

"Under the current system, politicians have the power to draw their own district lines and therefore guarantee their own re-election, no matter what they do — or don't do — while in office," the groups said in a statement. "This has led to a dysfunctional Legislature that does not produce results for Californians."