Newsom Calls for November Vote on California Congressional Maps, Citing Republican Gerrymandering
California Governor Gavin Newsom is pushing for a special election in November to decide on new congressional district maps, a move directly responding to what he calls a partisan power grab by Republican governors in states like Texas. The measure, estimated to cost over $200 million, aims to preemptively counter map designs intended to diminish Democratic depiction in the upcoming 2026 elections.
Newsom announced his intention to put the issue before voters on the first tuesday in November, coinciding wiht existing election schedules to minimize logistical challenges and costs. According to reports from Cal Matters, the governor framed the decision as a necesary response to a broader national trend of political manipulation.
The situation in Texas is central to Newsom’s rationale. A Republican-led redesign there seeks to eliminate five democratic-held seats and solidify the GOP’s majority in Congress. Congressman Greg Casar, whose district is slated for elimination through a merger with that of Lloyd Doggett, has denounced the move as “illegal vote suppression” and is urging mobilization against it.
Under normal circumstances,California relies on a voter-approved bipartisan commission to draw congressional districts. Though, newsom believes a temporary suspension of this process is warranted. Speaking at an airfield in Sacramento County, he emphasized the need for transparency, stating the decision-making process would occur “openly and not in ‘rear rooms.'” He anticipates a return to the independent redistricting system by 2030.
“I will not sit for a longer time in a fetal position, in a position of weakness when in reality California can demonstrate that it has greater force,” Newsom declared, as reported by politico.
the urgency in California comes as Texas Governor greg Abbott has called a special session to finalize the new map before August 19. the proposed changes in texas not only eliminate Democratic seats but also redraw boundaries in districts previously won by narrow margins.
Newsom has directly linked these efforts to former President Trump, accusing him of attempting to “manipulate the game” and secure a Republican advantage. He argued that a Democratic recapture of the House of Representatives in 2026 could block the president’s agenda. “Actually, Trump’s presidency ends in November next year if the american people are given a choice,” Newsom asserted.
Currently, Democrats hold 43 of California’s 52 seats in the House of Representatives, including several districts that flipped from Republican control in the last election cycle. Newsom’s move is widely seen as an attempt to safeguard those gains and potentially expand Democratic representation.
On X (formerly Twitter), Newsom wrote, “This moment requires that we are prepared to fight fire with fire. We will not hesitate to act whether Texas Republicans continue with this ridiculous taking of power.”
State law mandates that election materials be prepared by the end of September, with mail-in ballots sent one month prior and overseas voters receiving their guides 15 days before the election. The California legislature will convene on august 18,with both the Senate and Assembly expected to discuss advancing the measure,which reportedly enjoys two-thirds support in both chambers.
Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas affirmed his commitment to evaluating all options, emphasizing the goal of ensuring a “fair, transparent and representative system of the people.”
**How did it end?
