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Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday urged California lawmakers to approve a November ballot measure that would allow Democrats to bypass the state’s independent redistricting commission and redraw the state’s congressional map, framing the move as a direct response to Republican-led mid-decade redistricting efforts in Texas.
The proposal, called the Election Rigging Response Act, would permit new congressional lines favorable to Democrats to be enacted ahead of the 2026 midterm elections — a sharp departure from California’s 15-year reliance on a citizen-led commission.
“This is in reaction to a president of the United States who called a sitting governor of Texas and said, ‘find me five seats,’” Newsom said during a rally in Los Angeles. “We’ve modeled better behavior in California, but we cannot unilaterally disarm.”
Background
The push comes after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, encouraged by former President Donald Trump, called a special legislative session to redraw congressional districts outside the normal once-a-decade cycle. Republicans in Texas aim to gain as many as five additional U.S. House seats.
California Democrats, who currently hold 43 of the state’s 52 districts, say the GOP’s move threatens the balance of power in Congress. Under state law, altering district lines requires voter approval through a ballot measure. Lawmakers face a tight deadline to place the initiative on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Legal Arguments and Policy Implications
Supporters argue the measure is a necessary defensive step to protect representation, while critics say it undermines California’s commitment to independent map-drawing. Newsom said the new maps would “neutralize” Republican gains in Texas if enacted, but added that if red states halted their efforts, California would stand down.
Government Response
Sara Sadhwani, a member of California’s independent redistricting commission, joined Newsom at Thursday’s event but voiced concern over federal immigration enforcement presence outside the venue. She accused Trump of “turning our cities into police states.”
Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, rejected those claims, saying border patrol agents were conducting routine operations unrelated to the rally.
Broader Context
The political brinkmanship mirrors a growing national trend of mid-decade redistricting battles. While GOP-led states can often push new maps through their legislatures, blue states like California and New York face more complex legal hurdles.
In New York, for example, changing the map would require two consecutive legislative approvals and a statewide referendum, making changes unlikely before 2028.
Next Steps
Newsom said the California Legislature will introduce the necessary bills on Monday, aiming to finalize them by the end of next week. Texas Democrats, who fled their state to block the GOP quorum, indicated they would return once California formally unveils its maps.
“Wake up, America,” Newsom said. “Wake up to what Donald Trump is doing. Wake up to his assault on our institutions.”
