Sacramento, CA

Governor Gavin Newsom announced a statewide initiative this week aimed at addressing mid-cycle redistricting efforts in Texas and other states. The proposal, called the Election Rigging Response Act, would be placed before California voters in a special election on November 4.

The measure would retain California’s Citizens Redistricting Commission and formally express the state’s support for the use of nonpartisan redistricting commissions nationwide. It would also temporarily adopt new California congressional districts for use through 2030, while keeping the current maps in place if Texas or other states maintain their existing boundaries.

The legislative package includes a bill to call the special election and set procedures, a bill establishing a new congressional map that could be implemented if other states pursue new redistricting, and a bill authorizing reimbursement for the costs of administering the election.

Newsom said the proposal is a response to recent actions in Texas, where the state legislature is considering redrawing its congressional map before the next election cycle. He met with Texas leaders earlier this summer to discuss the special legislative session and recovery efforts following severe storms, but said those talks also touched on the potential impact of changes to congressional districts.

Polling in Texas has indicated that a majority of likely voters view a mid-cycle redistricting plan as unnecessary. Newsom stated that the California measure would ensure the state is prepared to respond to such changes in a way that protects fair representation.

In the days leading up to the announcement, Newsom drew national attention with a post on X (formerly Twitter) aimed directly at former President Donald Trump. In the post, he wrote: “DONALD TRUMP HAS 24 HOURS LEFT TO RESPOND TO GOVERNOR NEWSOM’S LETTER. IF HE DOES NOT STAND DOWN, THERE WILL BE A VERY IMPORTANT PRESS CONFERENCE THIS WEEK WITH A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT! THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.” He followed with a second message stating: “DONALD TRUMP, THE LOWEST POLLING PRESIDENT IN RECENT HISTORY, THIS IS YOUR SECOND-TO-LAST WARNING!!! (THE NEXT ONE IS THE LAST ONE!). STAND DOWN NOW OR CALIFORNIA WILL COUNTER-STRIKE (LEGALLY!) TO DESTROY YOUR ILLEGAL CROOKED MAPS IN RED STATES.”

The governor plans to work with legislative leaders in the coming week to finalize the proposal for the November ballot.