Unlocking Democracy: 5 Key Insights into Gavin Newsom’s Bold Plan to Redraw California’s Election Maps

By Alexei Koseff, CalMatters

The redistricting debate in California is heating up. With the Legislature reconvening for a crucial month, Democrats are rushing to reshape the state’s congressional map, potentially shifting the balance of power ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Republicans fear losing over half their seats and label this move a political maneuver. However, supporters claim it’s necessary to protect democracy from what they see as Trump’s influence on the election.

Ultimately, California voters will weigh in on this in a special election set for November, giving them a chance to decide on major changes.

What’s at stake?

Gavin Newsom is at the forefront of this issue. He aims to counter moves in Texas where Republicans are redrawing congressional districts to solidify their power. Trump has been vocal about needing these changes to maintain a majority in the House.

In Texas, the redistricting efforts could flip five Democratic seats to Republican hands. Several other states like Ohio, Missouri, and Florida are also looking at similar tactics.

In response, California is working on a plan to create five new Democratic-leaning districts. Newsom has rallied supporters, emphasizing that California won’t stand idly by as these changes unfold elsewhere.

How is it done?

Redistricting in California is unique. Voters chose a bipartisan commission to handle it back in 2010 instead of letting politicians decide. This commission adjusts district lines every decade after the Census. The last update was in 2021.

Newsom’s proposal would temporarily override this commission, but it needs voter approval. Secretly, Democratic officials have already crafted a new map, intending to present it to the public soon.

Why the urgency?

The state’s timeline is tight. Candidates need to know their districts by early March to prepare for the June primary. To ensure everything is ready for a November 4 special election, changes need to be finalized by the end of this year, coordinating with local elections to save on costs.

What are the costs?

Special elections are expensive. The last one—an unsuccessful recall attempt of Newsom—cost around $200 million. California has promised to cover election costs, but estimates for the upcoming special election run high, with counties like Fresno and Riverside expecting hefty bills.

Newsom argues that merging this election with scheduled local elections will help save money. Still, costs are likely to exceed previous estimates.

What are the chances of success?

Democrats are optimistic, but it’s an uphill battle. A recent poll reveals that nearly two-thirds of California voters prefer the current independent redistricting system, suggesting skepticism over returning power to lawmakers.

Newsom’s messaging frames this as an urgent response to Trump’s tactics. Internal polling indicates that when framed this way, support could reach 52%. While that could be enough to win, the upcoming campaign is expected to draw significant funding from both sides, highlighting the contentious nature of this issue.

As the political landscape shifts, this redistricting debate is more than just lines on a map; it’s a crucial element of California’s response to national politics.

This article was originally published on CalMatters and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives license.

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california democrats,California Legislature,California Republicans,Gavin Newsom,U.S. Congress