California lawmakers scramble to pass redistricting bills by Friday deadline

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) — California legislative committees pushed forward bills Tuesday that will put proposed congressional maps on the November ballot in a special election.

The move by Golden State Democrats to get the measure — called the Election Rigging Response Act — on the ballot came hours after Republican lawmakers asked the state Supreme Court to decide by Wednesday whether to postpone the process.

The legislative and legal fight has been brewing since President Donald Trump asked Texas Governor Greg Abbott to redraw his state’s districts to give Republicans another five seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. California Democrats have emphasized the move to redraw their state’s districts was a response to Texas and other red states trying to “rig” the 2026 midterms.

“The eyes of the nation are on California and rightfully so,” said state Senator Sabrina Cervantes, a Riverside Democrat and chair of the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee. “California is not acting unilaterally. This package is a response, a safeguard.”

Lawmakers face a daunting Friday deadline to get the legislation passed and on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk in order to get the question on the Nov. 4 ballot. Formally introduced Monday, the bills appeared Tuesday before each chamber’s elections committee.

Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8 would put the issue before voters. Senate Bill 280 makes timelines and procedures, as well as allocates money for it. Assembly Bill 604 is the vehicle for the new maps.

If voters pass the new maps, they’d remain in effect through the 2030 election. The redistricting process would then return to an existing independent citizens commission.

The election is expected to cost over $200 million.

While there was no question about the legislation advancing to Wednesday appropriations committee meetings, and ultimately an anticipated Thursday floor vote, Republicans tried to stymie the effort.

In the Assembly Elections Committee, Republicans tried to adjourn the meeting before business began. At one point, Assemblymember David Tangipa, a Clovis Republican, tried to add an amendment that would prohibit any lawmaker voting for the constitutional amendment from being a congressional candidate under the new maps.

The amendment failed.

“The whole thing is that this is about transparency,” said Assemblymember Alexandra Macedo, a Tulare Republican, moments before Tangipa introduced his amendment. “I don’t know why you’re shutting us down.”

The fight continued later in the meeting, as Assemblymember Marc Berman, a Menlo Park Democrat, and Tangipa exchanged barbs. Berman said he supported the concept of the legislation, leading Tangipa to question why he’d coauthor a bill he hadn’t seen. Berman fired back, asking how much time Tangipa needed to read a five-page bill.

Democrats on Tuesday echoed each other, saying they didn’t want to redraw the maps. Instead, Texas forced their hand as they refused to allow Trump and Republicans rig the 2026 midterms. If red states back off their effort to redraw their maps, California will do the same.

“This is about defending democracy,” said Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, a Santa Cruz Democrat and elections committee chair. “Our democracy is under attack.”

California Republicans slammed the process from the committee dais, across social media and in an emergency petition asking the state Supreme Court to step into the fray.

Republican lawmakers asked the state’s high court in a Monday petition to either require the Legislature comply with a 30-day public review period for the bills, or stay action on them until Democrats show why they aren’t subject to that review period.

The lawmakers in their petition argue Democrats seek to circumvent the 30-day rule through a “gut and amend” process. By taking existing bills, removing their language and inserting the election-related legislation, the public review requirement is met.

“Instead of a monthslong transparent and participatory process overseen by an independent citizens redistricting commission for such a sensitive matter, the public would be presented instead with an up-or-down vote on maps unilaterally prepared in secret by the Legislature,” the Republican lawmakers said in their petition.