California’s Democratic-controlled Legislature formally approved a plan Thursday to redraw the state’s congressional lines, teeing up a special election this fall that will let Californians weigh in on mid-decade redistricting in response to a plan pushed by Texas Republicans.
Both the state Assembly and Senate approved three pieces of the Election Rigging Response Act legislative package, which include a proposed constitutional amendment and two separate bills that lay out the logistics for the special election and map proposal. Those bills now head to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) desk for approval, and he was set to sign them Thursday afternoon.
“Open your eyes to what is going on in the United States of America in 2025,” Newsom said at a press conference after the state legislature passed the package.
“We’re responding to what occurred in Texas. We’re neutralizing what occurred and we’re giving the American people a fair chance. Because when all things are equal, and we’re all playing by the same set of rules, there’s no question the Republican Party will be the minority party in the House of Representatives next year.”
He blasted President Trump for his claim that the GOP is “entitled” to five more House seats in Texas.
“Can’t win by playing by traditional sets of rules. He plays by no rules,” Newsom said of the president. “And we’re standing up to that. We’re responding to that. They fired the first shot, Texas.”
The proposal is set to appear on the ballot as Proposition 50.
Democrats in the Golden State have been racing against the clock to get the package through by Friday in order to set up a Nov. 4 special election. They voted largely on party lines to get the material through.
Unlike in Texas, where the GOP-controlled Legislature and the governor’s approval will be enough to make the Lone Star State maps official, California ultimately has to put the question before voters.
Californians will be asked to greenlight the plan that could give Democrats five additional House seats, effectively canceling out the five would-be Republican gains in Texas, by going around the state’s independent redistricting commission until the end of the decade.
Democratic National Committe (DNC) Chair Ken Martin urged that “every Californian should vote for Democrats’ measure to level the playing field.”
“This isn’t just about California. The basic premise of Americans — instead of Donald Trump — choosing their elected officials is at stake,” Martin said in a statement.
Susan DelBene, chair of the Democrats’ House campaign arm, said California’s proposal “stands in stark contrast to the Republicans’ shameless scheme in Texas.”
“I applaud Governor Newsom and California lawmakers for taking responsible, responsive, and targeted actions to fight back against Republicans’ corrupt power grab.”
“This proposal would give Californians a choice to fight back — and bring much needed accountability and oversight to the Trump Administration,” Newsom said in a statement this week.
Newsom has pitched the plan as a way to “fight fire with fire” after President Trump pushed Texas to find five new GOP seats. He’s also underscored that the plan would be temporary, reverting back to the independent commission’s regular post-census redistricting schedule after the 2030 cycle.
Republicans, on the other hand, argue that the plan goes against the will of the voters, who approved the commission in 2008 and 2010. During hours of proceedings on Thursday, they also raised questions about who drew the maps and concerns about the cost of a special election.
In a post on X, California Assembly Republicans argued that Democrats “bent the knee to the governor and undermined the will of the people.”
California GOP legislators earlier this week filed suit with a petition asking the state Supreme Court to block action on the legislation, arguing that the sprint to vote on the legislation package violated the state constitution. The state court rejected that petition Wednesday, allowing the efforts to move forward in the Legislature.
California’s plan comes after talk of new maps in Texas kicked off a national redistricting tit for tat in the run-up to next year’s high-stakes midterms.
Republicans hold a slim 219-212 majority in the House, and control of Congress could come down to just a few seats.
The GOP controls just nine of California’s 52 House slots. The Republican incumbents affected by the new map are Reps. Kevin Kiley, Doug LaMalfa, Darrell Issa, Ken Calvert and David Valadao.
Redistricting has also been floated in the red states of Ohio, Florida, Indiana and Missouri — and in Democratic strongholds such as Maryland and Illinois.
Meanwhile, the Texas House advanced its redistricting plan Wednesday. Both chambers have to reconcile the legislation before it kicks over to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) for approval.
“It’s on, Texas,” Newsom said Wednesday night on social platform X.
Democrats in California had notably planned to include “trigger” language in the constitutional amendment, which would allow for the plan to move forward only if GOP-friendly redistricting got through in red states, including Texas. On Thursday, they opted to take that direct language out of the amendment text in the wake of Texas actions.
Instead, they’re aiming to put forward a clarification in a separate bill that has yet to be voted on, “in case something miraculous happens in Texas, and everyone comes to their senses,” state Sen. Mike McGuire (D) said on the floor.
Updated: 7:20 p.m. ET
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