It would be lovely to think that remapping California’s legislative districts would solve our political problems.

If we only redraw the districts so they do not so clearly favor incumbents or a particular party, one might think, political races would be closer, lawmakers would be less ideologically-driven and more responsive to diverse constituents, the pendulum would swing away from extreme partisanship and toward cooperation in the state Legislature.

It seems unlikely that it would be that simple. Yet Proposition 11 moves a strong step in the right direction by taking legislative redistricting out of the hands of elected officials, with their transparent self-interest in drawing up voter maps.

The measure would create a 14-member committee to redraw the state’s legislative map every 10 years. Committee members would be regular citizens who are registered voters. Lobbyists, heavy campaign donors and candidates for office would be barred from appointment.

From the original applicant pool the list would be trimmed to 60 names by state auditors. Lawmakers could then knock out 24 more names, and of the ones left standing, auditors would choose 14 at random.

The final 14 would include five Democrats, five Republicans and four people of neither party. The commission would be required to hold public hearings on its efforts.

This would appear to take as much partisanship out of the process as possible. In our view, Proposition 11 is a step toward a more fair system.

That said, the illusion that Proposition 11 will end legislative gridlock should be dismissed.

Drawing fair legislative districts that meet the conditions of the Voting Rights Act and other requirements is difficult work. Many districts in California will simply favor one party over the other, no matter who draws them.

Yet taking this power away from legislators is like putting the cookie jar on the high shelf where the kids can’t get it. It’s not that we don’t trust the kids, but it is just a good idea.