Overview

• Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed a special Nov. 4 election asking Californians to approve revised U.S. House district boundaries that could boost Democratic prospects in the 2026 midterms.
• The plan requires two-thirds majorities in both legislative chambers by the end of August to suspend the state’s independent redistricting commission until 2030.
• County election offices are preparing to meet state law deadlines for mailing ballots one month before Election Day and finalizing materials by late September.
• Newsom framed the initiative as a countermeasure to Republican-led mid-cycle redistricting efforts driven by President Trump’s push to secure a narrower House majority.
• Democratic legislative leaders have begun private caucus discussions on the proposal in advance of the Legislature’s return on August 18.