California Democrats eye release of new redistricting map this week
A draft of California’s new congressional district map could be released as early as this Friday, according to a spokesman for Assembly Speaker robert Rivas. This development comes amid ongoing tension between California Democrats and former President Donald Trump over redistricting.Trump has suggested that Texas’s congressional map redraw could help Republicans gain five House seats in the 2026 midterms,perhaps maintaining GOP control of the House. In response, Democratic-led states like California have pledged to fight back.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has vowed to proceed with redrawing new congressional districts to help Democrats regain control of the U.S. House, stating the new maps will be “historic” and aimed at ending Trump’s presidency.However, because California has an autonomous commission responsible for redistricting, Newsom must seek voter approval through a special election to adopt new maps mid-cycle. This requires a two-thirds legislative approval to place the measure on the ballot, with lawmakers expected to consider it before their session ends in September.
Republicans have strongly criticized this move,calling it undemocratic and harmful to democracy. Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher described the legal approach as a “strange legal theory” that could divide the state and nation. despite the challenges, California’s effort reflects the high stakes as both parties gear up for the 2026 midterm elections.
Draft of California’s new congressional map could be unveiled as early as Friday
A draft of California‘s new congressional districts could be released as early as Friday, a spokesman for California State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-CA) confirmed on Wednesday.
“We are aiming to release draft maps on Friday,” Nick Miller wrote in an email to the Washington Examiner.
The news follows a contentious back-and-forth between California Democrats and President Donald Trump over the map.
Trump suggested earlier this summer that Texas’s redistricting could help Republicans gain five House seats to keep the party in control after the 2026 midterm elections. Currently, Republicans have a seven-seat edge in the House, with four vacancies.
Trump has been able to enact his agenda, including passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and clawing back funding for NPR and PBS, because the GOP controls the White House and both chambers of Congress. If Democrats can flip the House, they could render Trump a lame duck during his last two years in office by blocking his legislation and launching congressional investigations.
Texas state lawmakers rolled out their proposed map on July 30, which would create 30 Republican congressional seats, compared to eight Democratic districts, an expected five-seat boost for the GOP from its current 25-to-13 seat breakdown. Republicans are also looking for ways to add a dozen or more districts across Florida, Missouri, Ohio, and Indiana.
In response, states controlled by Democrats, including California, Illinois, and Maryland, have pledged to fight back.
Newsom has said he would not pursue a push to redraw California’s congressional districts as long as Texas Republicans ended their efforts, which is unlikely.
On Tuesday night, Newsom said California would move forward with drawing new congressional districts that he said “WILL END THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY” and allow Democrats to take control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
“DONALD ‘TACO’ TRUMP, AS MANY CALL HIM, ‘MISSED’ THE DEADLINE!!! CALIFORNIA WILL NOW DRAW NEW, MORE ‘BEAUTIFUL MAPS,’ THEY WILL BE HISTORIC AS THEY WILL END THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY (DEMS TAKE BACK THE HOUSE!),” Newsom wrote in a post mocking Trump’s frequent all-caps social media posts.
Despite the drama, getting a new map approved could prove difficult.
Newsom needs to call a special election to move forward because California, unlike Texas, has an independent commission that is responsible for redistricting every decade. In order to circumvent the commission and redraw mid-cycle, he must put the redistricting question directly in front of voters before a new map can be put in place. It’s a “legal pathway” that California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat, said he could defend.
A ballot initiative would need the approval of two-thirds of state lawmakers before being presented to voters in a special election. Lawmakers are currently in their regular session, which ends on Sept. 12, and could get it done in time. They return from their summer recess on Aug. 18.
California Republicans have blasted Newsom and Bonta’s take on redistricting, arguing that it is harmful to democracy.
NEWSOM ADVANCES CALIFORNIA REDISTRICTING BID TO ‘END TRUMP PRESIDENCY’ WITH JAB AT WHITE HOUSE
Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher criticized Bonta’s proposal as a “strange legal theory to undermine CA voters.”
“It’s undemocratic, it’s wrong, and it needs to be stopped,” Gallagher posted on social media. “If they move forward in this fashion they will rip the state and this nation apart.”
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