WASHINGTON D.C. (NEXSTAR) — California Democrats are pushing a bill to prevent mid-decade redistricting.
Sen. Alex Padilla and other lawmakers’ “Redistricting Reform Act” would put a stop to this process and require every state adopt independent commissions to draw new maps.
It comes after Texas redrew its map to favor five Republicans at the request of President Trump. In response, California is trying to pass a map to favor five Democrats. The state will hold a special election Nov. 4 asking voters to temporarily suspend its own independent commission to redraw the map.
“This is an emergency response to an emergency that Trump created,” Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) said.
But that’s not the only redistricting-related bill in Congress. California Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley is pushing to end mid-decade redistricting, too.
Rep. Kiley’s bill has seen little movement in the House, despite his urging Speaker Mike Johnson.
“Really unacceptable that the Speaker has allowed this to happen,” Kiley said. “It’s certainly not standing up for what the members of the House want and what people across America want.”
Kiley says he generally supports the Democrats’ bill and sees an opportunity for bipartisan work, though he says Democrats didn’t reach out to him.
Democratic Rep. Lofgren said Democrats are willing to work with Republicans but said they’d have to “wait and see” if any support comes.
If the California ballot measure is approved, the independent redistricting commission would return after the 2030 Census.
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