California Democrats Back Newsom Plan to Redraw Congressional Maps for 2026

Some Democrats in California initially were skeptical of scrapping the district lines drawn by the state’s independent redistricting commission. Voters approved a ballot measure in 2008 creating the commission to draw state legislative district lines, and expanded its power to congressional maps with a separate measure in 2010.

Others worried about the tight timeline to place a measure before voters and the added burden on local election officials to prepare for a special election.

But in recent weeks, Democrats in the Legislature have rallied to the cause of partisan redistricting, as Trump and Republican leaders push to redraw maps across the country.

“This is not a turn-the-other-cheek moment while they continue to send blow after blow to the foundations of democracy,” Assemblymember Isaac Bryan said. “Where I’m from in Los Angeles, when they go low, we squabble up.”

California Republicans have criticized the push for new congressional lines. Rep. Kevin Kiley, a Sacramento Republican seen by many as vulnerable in a redraw, introduced a bill in Congress to block mid-decade redistricting nationwide. In a statement, Central Valley Assemblymember Alexandra Macedo said Newsom is “thumbing his nose at the voters.”

“Governor Newsom’s redistricting scheme sets a dangerous precedent that will collapse the foundational principles of democracy into a zero-sum game of power politics,” she said.

Matt Barreto, faculty director of the UCLA Voting Rights Project, said even if voters approve California’s new lines, the districts will need to pass legal muster and not dilute the voting power of Black, Latino or Asian voters.

“They’re going to need to keep an eye on the Voting Rights Act in ensuring that those new districts enable minority voters, if their population is large enough, to elect their candidates of choice,” Barreto said.

But Barreto acknowledged the necessary political forces were coalescing to bring the issue before California voters in the fall.

“I think you are seeing this effort pick up a lot of momentum and a lot of willpower here in California,” he said. “So it looks like it could happen.”