California Governor Gavin Newsom’s effort to redraw the state’s congressional map begins with a sizable public-opinion advantage, according to an internal survey by Democratic pollster David Binder. The poll, first reported by Axios, found 57% of registered voters favor the proposal, with 35% opposed and 8% undecided. Newsom wants lawmakers to place the measure on the Nov. 4, 2025 special-election ballot. If approved, it would bypass the state’s independent Citizens Redistricting Commission and allow the legislature to adopt new maps for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 U.S. House races before authority reverts to the commission ahead of the 2032 cycle. Supporters say the change could yield as many as five additional Democratic-leaning seats, shifting the delegation from 43–9 to 48–5. Democrats frame the move as a response to Republican-led mid-cycle redistricting in Texas championed by Governor Greg Abbott and former President Donald Trump. Critics—including several former independent commissioners, some Democratic legislators and good-government advocates—argue the plan undercuts California’s model for nonpartisan map-drawing. Three members of California Common Cause’s advisory board resigned this week, citing the group’s struggle to oppose what they call partisan gerrymandering. Independent analyses highlight both risks and rewards for Democrats. Punchbowl News reports the draft map would create seven districts that Vice President Kamala Harris won by fewer than 10 points in 2024, suggesting a patchwork of competitive seats rather than a uniformly safe advantage. Lawmakers are expected to debate the proposal in coming weeks before deciding whether to send it to voters.