by Nicholas Riccardi
The Democratic-controlled legislature on Thursday started debate on a package of bills that would put a new, pro-Democratic congressional map on the November ballot.
The move is an explicit response to Texas Republicans’ push to redraw their own map to add up to five winnable House seats before the 2026 midterms.
Voters will have to approve the California action because, unlike Texas, the state has a nonpartisan commission that normally draws lines.
“We don’t want this fight and we didn’t choose this fight, but with our democracy on the line we will not run away from this fight,” Assemblyman Marc Berman said.
