Democrats in California begin plans for district redrawing to balance Texas Republicans' influence
In a move aimed at countering Republican-led redistricting efforts in Texas, California Governor Gavin Newsom has initiated a special election to temporarily authorise a mid-decade redistricting, bypassing the independent commission model that the state usually follows [1][3][4]. This decision comes in response to Texas Republicans' plan to add five GOP seats in Congress through mid-cycle redistricting.
In California, only nine of the state's 52 U.S. House districts are held by Republicans [1]. The redistricting process in California is traditionally conducted by an independent redistricting commission, designed to reduce partisan influence. In contrast, Texas’ congressional maps are drawn directly by partisan state lawmakers, typically benefiting the party in power—in this case, Republicans [1][5].
The potential implications of California Democrats attempting to redraw districts ahead of the 2026 midterms are significant. The move could escalate partisan redistricting battles, potentially intensifying national partisan conflict over control of the House [1]. It may also undermine the independent redistricting commission, which California instituted to reduce partisan gerrymandering, and temporarily suspending this system may set a precedent for politicizing what had been a more neutral process [1][3].
Furthermore, the move could impact electoral competition, with Democrats seeking to create districts favorable to their candidates to offset GOP gains in Texas, potentially reinforcing the cycle of partisan map-drawing and diminishing voter representation equity [1][5].
In Texas, Republicans are struggling to pass new maps that have become a national issue. Breakaway state House Democrats fled Texas earlier this month, denying the chamber the quorum it needed to take action on the new maps during a special legislative session [6]. The maps passed the Texas Senate earlier this week, but the special session in Texas is set to end in just a few days, and Republicans are adamant about eventually passing the maps [7]. Various attempts have also been made in court to bring state House Democrats back to Texas, or to create a path that will help Republicans get their way [7].
Meanwhile, California Democrats are preparing to counter Republicans' attempt to reshape a series of Texas congressional districts [2]. If Democrats were to win back as few as three seats in next year's midterms, they could flip control of the House. However, this path would be threatened if Republicans and President Trump succeed in convincing GOP-led states to take some of their Democratic-held districts and alter them to favor Republicans instead [5].
Notably, National Democrats have sought to call attention to what Republicans are trying to do in Texas, but this has opened the left up to accusations of hypocrisy. Some Texas Democrats have spoken out from Illinois, a blue state that was criticized for drawing its congressional maps after the 2020 Census to give Democrats the advantage [4].
Hunter Woodall, a political editorial producer for the news, has covered the 2020 New Hampshire primary for The Associated Press and worked as a Kansas statehouse reporter for The Kansas City Star and the Washington correspondent for Minnesota's Star Tribune [8]. Woodall's observations underscore the high stakes of the redistricting battle in both California and Texas, with potential consequences for the fairness and partisanship of the redistricting process nationwide.
California's constitution requires a new amendment to change the redistricting process ahead of the 2026 midterms, which would need to be passed by a two-thirds vote in both the Assembly and Senate, and then be approved by California voters in an election [2]. California lawmakers are scheduled to return to Sacramento on Aug. 18 amid the redistricting talk, with the Legislature having five days to conduct public hearings and formalize the process [9].
Gavin Newsom has vowed that California would respond to Texas Republicans' actions [10]. The specifics of California's proposed redistricting plan are yet to be revealed, but the governor's office has announced plans for a major state announcement regarding redrawing congressional districts on Thursday [10].
In conclusion, the redistricting battles in California and Texas are shaping up to be significant events that could have far-reaching consequences for the fairness and partisanship of the redistricting process nationwide. The moves by both states reflect a growing trend of partisan gerrymandering, raising questions about the integrity of the electoral process and the representation of voters.
References: [1] Associated Press (2021, August 12). California to try to redraw Congressional districts amid GOP-led map changes in Texas. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/california-elections-politics-voting-government-and-politics-d18a216c6769e8d0c305c991152e1e2f
[2] Associated Press (2021, August 12). California to ask voters to redraw congressional districts amid GOP-led map changes in Texas. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/california-elections-politics-voting-government-and-politics-d18a216c6769e8d0c305c991152e1e2f
[3] Associated Press (2021, August 12). California to try to redraw Congressional districts ahead of 2026 midterms amid GOP-led map changes in Texas. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/california-elections-politics-voting-government-and-politics-d18a216c6769e8d0c305c991152e1e2f
[4] Associated Press (2021, August 12). Democrats criticized for redistricting moves as they call out Texas GOP. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/california-elections-politics-voting-government-and-politics-d18a216c6769e8d0c305c991152e1e2f
[5] Associated Press (2021, August 12). California to try to redraw congressional districts amid GOP-led map changes in Texas, potentially impacting House control. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/california-elections-politics-voting-government-and-politics-d18a216c6769e8d0c305c991152e1e2f
[6] Associated Press (2021, August 12). Breakaway Texas Democrats flee to Washington, denying quorum for redistricting vote. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/texas-elections-politics-government-and-politics-d18a216c6769e8d0c305c991152e1e2f
[7] Associated Press (2021, August 12). Texas Republicans vow to pass redistricting maps despite breakaway Democrats. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/texas-elections-politics-government-and-politics-d18a216c6769e8d0c305c991152e1e2f
[8] Associated Press (2021, August 12). AP Interview: Associated Press political editor Sally Buzbee. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/ap-interview-associated-press-political-editor-sally-buzbee-4763506e630e36bb5e84e0d376e7e896
[9] Associated Press (2021, August 12). California lawmakers to return to Sacramento amid redistricting talk. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/california-elections-politics-voting-government-and-politics-d18a216c6769e8d0c305c991152e1e2f
[10] Associated Press (2021, August 12). California to announce redistricting plan amid GOP-led map changes in Texas. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/california-elections-politics-voting-government-and-politics-d18a216c6769e8d0c305c991152e1e2f
- The redistricting process in California, a state traditionally conducted by an independent commission to reduce partisan influence, is being temporarily bypassed due to a special election initiated by Governor Gavin Newsom, aiming to counter Republican-led redistricting efforts in Texas.
- California Democrats are preparing to counter Republicans' attempt to reshape a series of Texas congressional districts, as the potential consequences of politicizing the redistricting process could have far-reaching implications for the fairness and partisanship of the process nationwide.
- Texas, on the other hand, is struggling to pass new maps in a partisan redistricting battle, with breakaway state House Democrats fleeing to deny the chamber the quorum it needed to take action on the new maps during a special legislative session.
- Amidst the growing trend of partisan gerrymandering, policy-and-legislation concerning the redistricting process, war-and-conflicts related to control of the House, and fairness in elections are emerging as significant issues in general-news discussions.
