California redistricting plan 5 things to know about Newsoms bid to redraw election maps

California Democrats, led by Governor Gavin Newsom, are pushing to redraw the state's congressional map to secure five additional Democratic-leaning seats ahead of the 2026 midterms. This initiative responds to Republican efforts in Texas, where redistricting could bolster GOP representation. In California, voters assigned redistricting to a bipartisan citizen commission, which last completed the process in 2021. Newsom's proposal seeks to temporarily bypass this commission, requiring voter approval in a November 4 special election. The urgency stems from the approaching primary elections in June, mandating that new congressional lines be established by the end of the year.

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas emphasized that voters will have the final say on the new map. Critics, especially Republicans, denounce the move as a blatant power grab, while Democrats argue it is a necessary defense against partisan manipulation. The state has committed to covering the costs of the unexpected election to facilitate this process.