A new congressional design proposed by Democrats in the California state legislature might give their party up to five additional seats.
The redistricting plans of Governor Gavin Newsom and the intensifying contest between the two major parties to gain more seats in the U.S. House in the upcoming midterm elections are both greatly advanced by this development.
In order to give California voters a chance to determine whether to accept the new districts, Newsom has stated that he will hold a special election on November 4. The independent redistricting commission of the state would not be involved in that election.
According to Newsom, Republicans in Texas are redrawing their own lines to gain up to five more GOP seats, so California is doing the same with its congressional map, which is usually done at the beginning of a new decade. Texas Republicans were urged by President Trump to redraw the state's districts to support the party.
"In fewer than 18 months, we have the chance to effectively end the Trump administration. "That's what's at stake," Newsom stated at a news conference earlier this month, alluding to the potential check on the White House that a Democratic-controlled U.S. House may have.
On Thursday, August 21, California lawmakers will cast their votes on the proposed map.
Texas Democrats may begin returning home now that California Democrats have made their proposition public. In order to avoid a quorum and stop Republicans from enacting new voting districts, they left the state for over two weeks. Democrats in Austin won't have enough votes to block the adoption of the recently created map.
Republican resistance
Five Republican congressmen who currently represent bluer districts—Kevin Kiley, Doug LaMalfa, David Valadao, Darrell Issa, and Ken Calvert—are the targets of the Democrats' proposal. Of California's 52 seats, 43 are presently held by Democrats.
Kiley chastised Newsom for avoiding California's independent Citizens Redistricting Commission and filed a bill to outlaw mid-decade redistricting.
Speaking on the floor of the U.S. House, Kiley declared, "This is a moment for every Californian and every American of decency, regardless of party affiliation, to speak out against the abject corruption that our governor is attempting." Similar legislation has been proposed by Democratic Representative Marc Veasey, one of the Democrats targeted by Texas Republicans' new map.
California Democrats must "fight fire with fire," according to Newsom, who has maintained that his state's move is a reaction to Texas's redistricting attempts.
When asked about Kiley's latest proposal, Newsom responded, "I'm grateful that this member of Congress is waking up to the reality of what has occurred in Texas." "I haven't heard much from him as it relates to the condemnation of their efforts, but I'm grateful that he recognizes the importance of a national framework."
California's plan would have a trigger provision, Newsom stressed, meaning it would only take effect if Texas or another red state proceeded with its own redistricting plans.
During a press conference this week, Kiley stated, "I will acknowledge that I don't like some of what's going on in other states either." "I think having mid-decade redistricting this year cascade across the country in some sort of domino effect will be a huge distraction and a very unhealthy thing for representative government."
Opposition to "good government"
If accepted, the Citizens Redistricting Commission would reclaim its redistricting powers following the 2030 census, and the new California districts would apply for the elections in 2026, 2028, and 2030. In 2008, voters authorized the establishment of a commission to oversee state legislative districts, and in 2010, the commission was expanded to include congressional seats. Five Democrats, five Republicans, and four non-party members make up its 14 members.
Former Democratic commission member Jeanne Raya expressed alarm about Newsom's redistricting proposals' lack of transparency.
"Somebody's going to be drawing maps, whether behind a real door, a virtual door," Raya stated. "There will not be that transparency that is written into the independent commission's work, and voters will suffer for that."
Many organizations that support good government are against Newsom's plan, claiming it politicizes the redistricting process and denies the public their right to vote by excluding the independent panel.
Newsom responded to criticism by saying that since voters would have the final say, the proposal is transparent. Voters will not receive the Texas proposal.
"We will nullify what happens in Texas, and we are talking about emergency measures to respond to what's happening in Texas," Newsom stated at a press conference in which he was joined by Texas Democrats. "We will pick up five seats with the consent of the people, le and that is the difference between the approach we're taking and the approach [Texas Republicans are] taking."
Although they confront obstacles or provide Democrats with limited prospects for pickup, other blue states, such as New York and Illinois, are contemplating their own rounds of new redistricting. Republicans are thought to have more potential seats in states like Missouri, Florida, Indiana, and Ohio.
0 Comments