Overview

• Governor Gavin Newsom announced a special November 4 ballot for Californians to vote on a new congressional district map.
• His office says the redrawn map will be released imminently and sent to the Democratic-controlled legislature for approval next week.
• The proposal is designed to counter a Texas Republican plan urged by President Trump and could allow Democrats to gain up to five U.S. House seats.
• Newsom’s press team has employed Trump-style all-caps posts calling the effort a “Day of Liberation” that will “end Trump’s presidency.”
• Texas Democrats remain in exile to block their state’s own redistricting vote and both sides are preparing legal and political clashes ahead of the 2026 midterms.