California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday began his campaign urging voters to approve mid-decade redistricting in a special election later this year.
Republicans are seeking to add congressional seats in a rare mid-decade redistricting effort ahead of the 2026 midterms, and Newsom has been among the most vocal advocates for blue states to respond with their own maps. California Democrats have warned for weeks that if Texas advances plans to increase GOP-leaning districts, they will act in kind.
“We’re doing it in reaction to that act. We’re doing it mindful of our higher angels, and better angels. We’re doing it mindful that we want to model better behavior, as we’ve been doing for 15 years in the state of California,” Newsom said, referring to the state’s independent redistricting commission.
Flanked by other Democratic leaders, Newsom also noted the presence of federal agents outside the news conference.
“Right outside at this exact moment are dozens and dozens of ICE agents,” he said. “These are sober times.”
Newsom has named the proposal the “Election Rigging Response Act” and is calling on state voters to pass it in November. Special elections and ballot measures often trigger significant political spending in California.
The plan would temporarily pause the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, prompting initial concern from some anti-gerrymandering advocates. However, several eventually said they would not oppose the move if it solely counteracts Republican redistricting in Texas.
“In the current mid-decade redistricting battle, we recognize that President Trump and Republican leaders are pursuing a calculated, asymmetric strategy to redraw districts mid-decade in states like Texas, to lock in unaccountable power and silence voters,” Common Cause stated Tuesday.
“In this grave moment, we understand why some states, including California, are considering counterbalancing measures in response,” the statement added.
The Legislature must finalize a plan by Aug. 22 for it to appear on the November ballot. Assembly members are scheduled to return next week.
California’s independent commission enjoys strong support among voters, meaning Newsom will need to persuade them to accept temporary changes. State Assemblymember Isaac Bryan addressed that challenge directly.
“This isn’t about redistricting. Don’t let anybody tell you it’s about redistricting. I’ve seen a few different polls, ‘Do Californians hate gerrymandering?’ Yes, we do,” Bryan said at the news conference.
“That’s not what this is about,” he continued. “This is about whether we will let the authoritarian in the White House break our democracy while we sit silent — while we take a high road that doesn’t exist anymore.”
Also backing Newsom were local advocates, additional state lawmakers and members of California’s congressional delegation.
Rep. Pete Aguilar, a member of the House Democratic leadership, argued that California’s approach is not comparable to that of Texas Republicans.
“Unlike Texas, where they are blatantly disregarding the Voting Rights Act in an attempt to disenfranchise voters, California will hold firm to our values,” Aguilar said, adding that House Democrats fully support Newsom’s ballot proposal.
