California Legislature approves special election on new congressional map favoring Democrats

WXXV Staff,
Newsom
Accompanied by California and Texas lawmakers, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, center, discusses the push to schedule a special election to redraw California’s Congressional voting districts, during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Friday Aug. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

By TRÂN NGUYỄN and JIM VERTUNO
Associated Press

California lawmakers have passed legislation advancing a partisan redistricting plan that could help Democrats win five more U.S. House seats in 2026.

Lawmakers voted mostly along party lines Thursday. Republicans have sued and called for a federal investigation into the plan.

California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to sign the legislation. California currently relies on an independent commission that is supposed to be nonpartisan to draw maps.

Voters’ permission is needed to implement the new one.

The legislation calls for a November special election on the matter.

It is a response to Texas Republicans’ push to redraw their state’s congressional map at President Donald Trump’s urging.

Categories: National News, News

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