California Legislature Approves Redistricting Amendment for Voter Approval

California's Democratic-led legislature has passed legislation to place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot, allowing voters to decide whether to temporarily bypass the state's independent redistricting commission to enact new congressional maps favoring Democrats. This move is a direct response to Texas Republicans' earlier mid-decade redistricting, which is aimed at gaining five additional GOP seats in the U.S. House ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, a strategy encouraged by President Donald Trump. California Governor Gavin Newsom supports the effort, framing it as a necessary countermeasure to what Democrats describe as partisan gerrymandering by Texas Republicans, and the state Supreme Court recently rejected Republican attempts to block the vote. The proposed California map could net Democrats up to five additional seats, potentially offsetting Republican gains in Texas and other states redrawing districts to their advantage. The battle over redistricting is seen as a precursor to a nationwide struggle by both parties to reshape congressional maps ahead of the 2026 elections, with California Democrats positioning their effort as a fight against efforts by Trump-aligned Republicans to tip the scales in their favor. California Republicans have vowed legal challenges and vigorous opposition to the ballot measure, which sets the stage for a contentious campaign this fall.