UPDATE – August 2025: California’s redistricting plan complies with all six of Common Cause’s fairness criteria for mid-decade redistricting, and as a result we will not oppose their efforts.

Sacramento — Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom suggested the potential for mid-decade redistricting in California to challenge the same effort in Texas, which would gerrymander the state in Republican’s favor. Voting rights and redistricting experts, including Common Cause and Patricia Sinay, a Commissioner for the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, warn against this move, which would threaten California’s Citizens Redistricting Commission and fair representation in the state.

“Point blank, this is a dangerous move,” said Darius Kemp, executive director of California Common Cause. “We know independent redistricting works because California has been the national leader for years. We can’t afford to put our state’s democracy on the line during a time of national instability.” 

There is zero legal standing for the California legislature to re-draw maps, and a special election would be risky and expensive. The last special election in 2021 to recall Governor Newsom cost taxpayers just over $200 million.

The California Constitution gives sole authority to draw districts to an independent redistricting commission voters overwhelmingly approved in 2008. By taking map-drawing power away from self-interested politicians, California’s independent process has resulted in maps that are drawn based on the needs of local communities. The 2020 process resulted in zero lawsuits — a highly unusual outcome for a typically contentious process.

“There is no way to do a rushed redistricting process, either in California or Texas, that honors the people and our communities,” said Russia Chavis Cardenas, deputy director of California Common Cause. “Redistricting requires outreach, education, and public input, which takes time. Any attempt to pick up partisan seats undermines our democracy and weakens the political power of the people.”

Studies show that independent redistricting commissions work and stand as the best way to draw district maps that work for communities. Handing the power back to incumbent legislators, lobbyists, and special interests would welcome political gamesmanship and make it harder for communities to advocate for the resources they need once this moment has passed. 

“The very purpose of the state’s independent redistricting commission is to protect voters from partisan power grabs like this,” said Patricia Sinay, a Democrat serving on the California Citizen Redistricting Commission. “If this were to succeed, it would set a dangerous precedent for suppressing voters across the nation — an especially dangerous tactic during a crucial moment for our country’s democracy.”