California GOP Files Emergency Petition to Halt Newsom Redistricting Act

Republican lawmakers in California have filed an emergency petition with the state Supreme Court to block Governor Gavin Newsom's Election Rigging Act, challenging the use of a 'gut-and-amend' tactic that bypasses the state constitution's 30-day public review period by replacing the content of unrelated bills with new legislative text. The petition argues this maneuver undermines the public's constitutional right to review proposed legislation, accusing Democrats of circumventing transparency and rushing a mid-decade redistricting effort, known as Proposition 50, which could redraw five GOP-held districts to favor Democrats ahead of the November special election. Republicans contend the redistricting map was drawn secretly by Democrats in response to Texas Republicans' own redistricting efforts aimed at bolstering GOP congressional seats, framing Newsom's plan as an attempt to predetermine election outcomes. Governor Newsom's office dismissed the lawsuit as frivolous and asserted confidence in the democratic process. The California Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, denied the petition, a decision consistent with the court's historical support of Newsom's mandates. This dispute highlights ongoing partisan battles over electoral maps and legislative procedures in California amid national concerns over gerrymandering and election integrity.