Aug 22, 01:35 PM

Newsom Calls November Redistricting Vote; Polls Show Californians Split

California will hold a statewide vote on 4 November after lawmakers, voting largely along party lines, approved legislation allowing the Democratic-controlled legislature to draw a new congressional map through 2030. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill within hours, framing the temporary suspension of the state’s independent Citizens Redistricting Commission as a response to a mid-decade Republican gerrymander in Texas that is expected to give the GOP roughly five additional U.S. House seats. Public opinion is sharply divided. A UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies survey of 4,950 registered voters conducted 11–17 August found 48 percent of Californians in favor of the measure, 32 percent opposed and 20 percent undecided. Among likely voters, support rises to 55 percent versus 34 percent opposition. In a separate question, 38 percent preferred retaining California’s independent process even if Texas proceeds, while 35 percent supported adopting a counter-map; 63 percent said gerrymandering is “never acceptable.” National polling indicates most Democratic voters nonetheless back California’s move. Republicans have filed suit and former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vowed to campaign against what he calls a power grab, while Democratic figures including former President Barack Obama endorse Newsom’s “fight-fire-with-fire” strategy. With other Republican-led states considering redraws and Democratic-run states weighing similar countermoves, the escalating map-making duel is poised to influence control of the U.S. House in the 2026 midterms.