PUBLIC POLICY 

California’s Gerrymander Plan

In retaliation for the Texas legislature’s plan to redraw Congressional Districts to create 5 additional Republican districts, Governor Newsom and the CA Democratic party have drawn up new mid-term maps that create 5 new Democratic Congressional seats.

By August 22, the California Assembly and Senate must pass 3 bills.  ACA 8 is the Constitutional Amendment that would allow new, temporary congressional district maps to be adopted. The setting aside of the CA Independent Citizen Redistricting process, which is nonpartisan, will extend through 2030. In 2031, the new maps will be drawn by a new commission selected and governed by the rules set forth in the CCRC law.  The amendment will only be voted on by the public if Texas or another state adopts new maps creating more Republican Congressional seats.

The second measure is SB 280, which calls for a statewide Special Election on November 4, 2025, to place the Redistricting maps and ACA 8 before the public. This is required because the California Independent Redistricting Act of 2010, a constitutional amendment, states that redistricting be done once a decade after the decennial census and can only be changed by a vote of the people.

Third, the maps drawn up by a committee of Democrats, contained in bill  AB 604, must be approved by both houses. At present, Republicans are against the whole process.  The goal is to create 5 more Democratic districts.

Some of the newly created Congressional District boundaries will affect Whittier, the San Gabriel Valley, and Long Beach.  District 38, held by Rep. Linda Sanchez, currently includes Whittier. Whittier would be removed and placed into a district with Bell Gardens, Downey, Pico Rivera, and other communities along the 605. Yorba Linda would be added to District 38.

In addition, CD 28, held by Rep. Judy Chu, will lose Claremont and gain communities along the north 605, which had been carved out in 2021.

Another big change would affect CD 42, held by Robert Garcia of the Long Beach area. Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa would be added, while some of the cities just north of Long Beach would be put with Whittier.

If the Legislature passes all 3 bills, counties will have to prepare for the Special Election on November 4. However, IF Texas or other Republican states fail to adopt their mid-term maps, then the election will be called off.

Stay tuned!!

Margo Reeg

Public Policy  Chair