California’s Democratic-controlled Legislature voted Thursday to advance an aggressive plan to redraw congressional lines mid-decade, a move critics say undermines the will of voters and risks eroding public trust in the state’s independent redistricting process.
The package, dubbed the Election Rigging Response Act, passed both chambers on largely party-line votes and now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. He signaled he would sign the bills immediately, clearing the way for a Nov. 4 special election on the measure, which will appear as Proposition 50.
Democrats insist the move is necessary to offset a Republican plan in Texas that could net the GOP five additional House seats. But the proposal in California would give Democrats the same advantage by bypassing the state’s independent redistricting commission — a body voters themselves approved in 2008 and 2010 to ensure fair, nonpartisan mapmaking.
“We’re responding to what occurred in Texas. We’re neutralizing what occurred and we’re giving the American people a fair chance,” Newsom said after the Legislature’s vote.
He did not hide his partisan aim. “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.”
Republicans immediately blasted the effort as a brazen power grab. On social media, Assembly Republicans said Democrats had “bent the knee to the governor and undermined the will of the people.”
GOP lawmakers also raised questions about who drew the new maps and the cost of holding a statewide special election, warning that the effort erodes the credibility of California’s much-touted independent commission.
Republican legislators filed suit earlier this week in state court, arguing the rush to push through the legislation violated the state constitution.
The state Supreme Court rejected the petition on Wednesday, clearing the path for Democrats to proceed.
For Newsom and national Democrats, the proposal is pitched as a form of partisan retaliation. Newsom called the effort “fighting fire with fire” after President Trump urged Texas lawmakers to secure five more Republican-leaning districts.
Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin framed the ballot measure in sweeping terms, saying, “The basic premise of Americans — instead of Donald Trump — choosing their elected officials is at stake.”
Democratic leaders also made clear the proposal is temporary, reverting back to the independent commission’s authority after the 2030 census. But in the meantime, the plan could dramatically reshape the balance of power.
Republicans currently hold only nine of California’s 52 House seats, and the new maps would directly target GOP incumbents including Reps. Kevin Kiley, Doug LaMalfa, Darrell Issa, Ken Calvert and David Valadao.
The national stakes are enormous. Republicans control the House by a narrow 219–212 margin, and Democrats see California’s maneuver as a way to wipe out Republican gains from Texas before next year’s midterms.
“It’s on, Texas,” Newsom posted defiantly on X Wednesday night.
For Republicans, however, the issue is less about the national chessboard and more about principle. “Voters created the independent commission to take politics out of redistricting,” one GOP lawmaker said during floor debate. “Democrats are trying to erase that will because they don’t like the results.”
[READ MORE: Trump Rips California Governor Gavin Newsom Over Incompetence, Mismanagement in Los Angeles]
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