California and Texas Redistricting Battle Intensifies as Democratic and Republican Governments Push for Partisan Gains
The California State Assembly has approved a redistricting plan proposed by Governor Gavin Newsom, following the passage of new maps in Texas by Republican lawmakers the previous day.
In California, three bills are currently under consideration in both the Assembly and Senate, aiming to facilitate a special election for a constitutional amendment that would replace the state’s existing congressional maps through 2030. Democrats in California aim to overturn the current maps, which were initially drawn by an independent redistricting commission established in 2010, through this process.
The Assembly has now passed all three bills, while the Senate is still deliberating on the measures, having so far only approved one of them. The push for redistricting by Democrats in California is seen as a countermeasure in response to similar efforts in states like Texas, where new maps could potentially secure up to five additional seats for Republicans.
The Democratic-led redistricting plan initially included a contingency that would only take effect if another state engaged in mid-decade redistricting. However, this provision was removed following the passage of new GOP-drafted congressional maps in Texas. Nick Miller, communications director for Speaker of the California State Assembly Robert Rivas, stated that the removal of the trigger language was unnecessary due to the actions taken by Texas Republicans.
In Texas, the state House passed new congressional maps with a 88-52 vote along party lines on Wednesday evening. This comes after Democratic lawmakers who had left the state to deny the House a quorum for 15 days returned to Austin. The Republican-dominated state Senate is set to reconvene Thursday night, and the passage of the redistricting plan there is expected.
Democrats in California are aiming to gain five seats, while Republicans are looking to secure five additional seats in Texas. The California Supreme Court has rejected a lawsuit filed by Republican officials seeking to halt the redistricting effort on grounds that the legislature did not provide adequate notice to voters.
Republicans have objected to the cost of the proposed special election in California, with a bill analysis estimating it to be “likely in the low hundreds of millions of dollars.” Democrats counter that the cost is justified to counteract Texas’ plan to redraw its congressional maps at the behest of former President Trump. They also compare the cost of the November vote to the cost of the failed attempt to recall Governor Gavin Newsom in 2021.
Former President Barack Obama endorsed Newsom’s redistricting push during a speech on Tuesday, stating that while he opposes gerrymandering, he believes Newsom has been “responsible” in his approach. Obama also expressed concern about the actions of the Trump administration and the need for Democrats to push back against them.
As the special session continues, lawmakers are also considering legislation imposing penalties or punishments on legislators who willfully absent themselves during a session. This item was added to the agenda by Governor Abbott.
Democrats in Texas have vowed to wage a legal battle against the new congressional maps, with House Democratic leader state Rep. Gene Wu stating that “this fight is far from over” and their best chance lies in the courts.