SACRAMENTO -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has begun a drive to qualify a November ballot measure that would take away legislators' ability to draw their own districts.

The Republican governor says that will make legislative races more competitive.

Schwarzenegger teamed up with Democratic former state Controller Steve Westly at a Sacramento diner Tuesday to gather the first signatures to qualify the initiative.

Currently, lawmakers draw their own lines. Critics say that results in gerrymandered districts designed to protect incumbents. Schwarzenegger wants an independent commission to draw the boundaries instead.

Schwarzenegger backed a 2005 ballot measure that tried to create a redistricting commission but it was rejected by voters.