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1h ago

California Democrats Advance Mid-Decade House Remap Aiming to Add Up to Five Seats

Legal scholars say a voter-approved amendment would likely withstand court challenges.

Assembly Member Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, has said he is prepared to go to court to challenge Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to place a measure on the ballot allowing mid-decade redistricting.
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GOP Rep. Young Kim represents California’s 40th Congressional District in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. This district is one of only four that would have a majority of registered Republican voters under the proposed mid-cycle redistricting maps up for consideration by the legislature this week. (Leonard Ortiz/The Orange County Register)
Simi Valley

Overview

  • ACA8 and companion bills were introduced and are slated for votes this week to place new congressional maps on the Nov. 4 special election ballot.
  • Republicans vowed legal and political fights, with Assembly Member Carl DeMaio seeking a legal ruling against the plan, threatening lawsuits, and filing a proposed 2026 initiative targeting lawmakers who back the measure.
  • Election-law experts Rick Hasen and Justin Levitt said the Legislature can send a constitutional amendment to voters and cited Supreme Court precedent allowing mid-decade redistricting.
  • The proposal would suspend the Citizens Redistricting Commission for three congressional cycles and would take effect only if Texas, Florida, or another state adopts a new, non–court-ordered map after Aug. 1, 2025 and before 2031.
  • Draft lines show local changes such as moving Simi Valley from Julia Brownley’s district into Brad Sherman’s, as polling indicates lukewarm support and a well-funded opposition campaign is expected.