California Plans Special Election on Redistricting to Add Democratic Seats

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to hold a special election in November to approve a new congressional map that would add five Democratic seats, countering a similar effort by Texas Republicans to gain five GOP seats through mid-decade redistricting. This move follows Texas Democratic legislators fleeing their state to prevent a quorum needed for approving the Republican-backed redistricting plan, which Newsom and California Democrats view as a partisan power grab encouraged by President Trump. Newsom vowed to "nullify" the effects of Texas' redistricting by redrawing California's districts, temporarily bypassing the independent commission that usually handles redistricting, with the goal of protecting Democratic representation. The California effort has drawn support from prominent Democrats including Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, emphasizing the high stakes in the battle over congressional control ahead of the 2026 midterms. Texas Republicans, including Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, have responded with threats to strip seats from absent Democrats and legal actions, escalating the partisan conflict. California Democrats frame their actions as "emergency measures" and have pledged to "fight fire with fire" to defend voting rights and counter GOP strategies.