California, New York signal they’re moving forward with redistricting
by Julia Mueller - 08/05/25 5:40 PM ET
California and New York are signaling they will move forward with plans to redraw congressional lines as Democrats look to counter the Texas GOP.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said Monday that Democrats are pursuing a plan to put mid-decade redistricting before voters, which could be “triggered” by what happens in Texas. And New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), appearing alongside Texas Democrats who fled to her state over the proposed maps Monday, embraced exploring “every option” to redraw congressional lines.
Both states, however, face challenges with their plans and are unlikely to have new maps before next year’s midterm elections, when Republicans will be defending their narrow 219-212 House majority.
“What Texas has done now is that: If you drive the car all the way off the cliff, there’s no road. And I don’t know if they realize exactly how far they may have pushed some other actors around the country,” said Justin Levitt, a law professor at Loyola Marymount University who founded the database All About Redistricting.
Texas Republicans’ proposed redistricting plan, which is backed by President Trump and could net the GOP several more congressional seats, prompted Texas Democrats to flee their state and break quorum, depriving the chamber of the numbers it needs to function.
But while their move, which comes with significant legal and political hurdles for the participating state legislators, puts a pause on state House business, it’s unlikely to kill the proposal altogether. As a result, Democrats are eyeing opportunities to cancel out would-be Republican gains in the Lone Star State by redistricting to their benefit elsewhere.
Newsom told reporters Monday that California is charging ahead with preparations for potential redistricting ahead of the midterms “in response to the existential realities that we’re now facing.”
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https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5437566-california-new-york-redistricting/