In a high-impact political maneuver, the California Legislature, dominated by Democrats, approved a package of laws on Thursday that lays the groundwork for a special election in November of this year. In this vote, the state’s citizens will have to decide whether they endorse a plan that would temporarily replace the independent commission responsible for redrawing electoral districts every decade.
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Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislation as soon as it was approved, thus consolidating the Democratic strategy to respond to recent movements in Texas, where a new electoral map was adopted that would favor Republicans with up to five additional seats in the House of Representatives in the upcoming national legislative elections of November 2026.
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Express voting and partisan motivation
According to NBC News, both the state Assembly and Senate approved the legislation with more than two-thirds support, allowing for the implementation of measures classified as urgent under California rules. The proposed plan was introduced to the Legislature less than a week before its approval and has a clear objective: to create an electoral counterbalance to the redistricting pushed in Texas.
Unlike in previous cycles, this time it would not be the independent commission that draws the new district boundaries, but rather the Legislature would take on that role, if the electorate so decides. This commission was created after a popular vote with the aim of preventing political manipulation of the redistribution process.
The proposed change directly responds to Texas’ move, which could significantly alter the national electoral landscape leading up to the 2026 legislative elections, where control of Congress will be at stake. President Donald Trump openly endorsed the new Texas map in an interview with CNBC, stating that his party “was entitled to five more seats.”
A redesign with its own name: Trump
California Democrats have denounced that the Texan plan seeks to politically shield the former president. Newsom and his allies believe that the Republican measure requires a proportional response to avoid an imbalance in national representation. A study by the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia supports this logic: according to their analysis, the new Californian map could give up to five additional seats to the Democratic Party in the midterm elections.
During Thursday’s legislative debate, assemblywoman Sade Elhawary of Los Angeles was firm in justifying the project. She pointed out that “the crisis began in a Republican state,” and accused Texas of starting a political fire that California cannot ignore. “We are leveling the playing field instead of waiting for Abbott and Trump to burn down our own house,” she stated, also criticizing the so-called “Trump-mandering,” referring to the partisan manipulation of districts.
Republican resistance and warnings
On the other hand, the Republican bloc strongly expressed its opposition. James Gallagher, the party leader in the state Assembly, warned that this strategy will only intensify political polarization across the country.
“If they continue to fight fire with fire, what happens? They burn everything,” declared Gallagher during the debate. He warned that the decision to eliminate the independent commission could trigger a chain reaction, where other states follow suit and parties end up completely dominating the redistricting process.
“It will be the end of citizens’ right to choose their representatives. If you do it, then Missouri, Indiana, and conversations are already being heard in Colorado,” he added.
Appealing to biblical language, he asked both parties to “turn the other cheek” and contain their partisan impulses. According to him, democracy in the United States is still alive, but it depends on legislators having the courage to confront their own party leaders.
The special election will be called for this fall and could significantly modify the electoral landscape heading into 2026.
The changes to the electoral map, called “Gerrymandering” in the United States, consist of grouping or dividing voters from the opposing party, who tend to be grouped in areas according to their economic income, educational level, and race.