California Assembly moves to ensure partisan congressional map proceeds regardless of what Texas or the courts do.
California Democrats in the Assembly on Thursday revised their redistricting package so the state’s proposed congressional map can advance to voters this fall even if Texas reverses course or courts strike down the GOP-led redraw there.
The change, first reported by State Capitol correspondent Ashley Zavala, removes language tying California’s plan to actions in other states.
“… Texas moved forward with their redistricting proposal… conditioning is no longer applicable — it is self‑evident that California will need to move forward,” the governor’s office said in a statement,” Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office told KCRA.
The package includes three measures: ACA 8, the constitutional amendment that puts the question on the ballot; SB 280, which calls a Nov. 4, 2025, special statewide election and sets procedures; and AB 604, which contains the Legislature’s proposed district lines.
Democrats say the overhaul could net their party up to five seats, potentially eliminating GOP stronghold seats like Reps. Kevin Kiley in Northern California and Ken Calvert in Southern California.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the “Election Rigging Response Act” (Proposition 50) package on Aug. 21 with Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate President pro Tem Mike McGuire, framing it as a response to Texas and other Republican-led states. “Californians… will have a choice to fight back — and bring much-needed accountability,” Newsom said. Rivas added, “California will not be a bystander to Trump’s power grab,” while McGuire called the plan “temporary” and “about fairness.”
Republicans blasted the move as a power grab that guts the state’s independent redistricting model. “Politicians shouldn’t choose their voters,” said Sen. Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks), who accused Democrats of drafting districts “behind closed doors with D.C.-based political operatives.” Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) called the plan “an unprecedented assault on democracy,” noting he has introduced federal legislation to ban mid-decade redistricting nationwide.
California’s redistricting comes as Texas lawmakers advanced a mid-decade congressional map this week that could add as many as five GOP seats; Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to sign it, with lawsuits imminent. California Democrats initially wrote their plan to “fight fire with fire” only if red states proceeded — but after Texas cleared key hurdles, legislative leaders moved to delete references that made California’s map contingent on other states.
With SB 280 setting the special election and ACA 8 (Proposition 50) heading to the ballot, voters will be affected by the Legislature’s lines in AB 604.
If California voters approve, the change would apply beginning with the June 2, 2026, primary; the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission would resume its normal role for the 2031 post-census redraw. Map downloads are available from the Assembly Elections Committee.
