ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) _ The California Republican Party voted Sunday not to take a position on a bipartisan redistricting initiative backed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Proposition 11 on the November ballot would create an independent commission to redraw legislative districts. It was the only one of the 12 upcoming ballot measures on which the party’s executive committee did not take a position at the state GOP’s fall convention Sunday.

Former party chairman Duf Sundheim said Democrats who oppose the initiative will try to sell it as a Republican power grab. The party’s endorsement might not help.

Some Republicans also argue the measure’s reforms aren’t tough enough. Linda Boyd of Los Angeles, a member of the party’s resolutions committee, said Republicans are split on the measure, so it was best for the party not to take a position.

“There is a lot of controversy on this issue and a lot of people don’t feel that this is the right bill to put forward at this time,” she said Sunday.

Redistricting is a top priority for Schwarzenegger, who is co-chairman of the campaign with former state controller Steve Westly, a Democrat.

But the governor is at odds with many members of his own party, who see him as too liberal. His Republican critics also say he backtracked on promises not to raise taxes by proposing to temporarily raise the state’s income tax this summer to help close a $15.2 billion state deficit.

The initiative has support from an array of good-government and advocacy groups, including the AARP, the League of Women Voters, Common Cause and the ACLU of Southern California, some of which are disliked by Republicans.

An earlier Schwarzenegger attempt at redistricting reform failed in 2005, but the governor says it is fundamental to overcoming Sacramento’s political dysfunction.

Former Gov. Pete Wilson, a Republican, urged delegates Saturday to back the November proposition.

Party officials also voted Sunday to support initiatives that would ban gay marriage, require parental notification for teens seeking an abortion, boost criminal penalties, create a so-called victims’ bill of rights and fund home loans to veterans.

The state GOP voted to oppose all the other November initiatives, including a high-speed rail bond, a measure to create greater restrictions on farm animals and a bond to pay for children’s hospitals.