Newsom signs ‘Election Rigging Response Act’ in retaliation to Texas moves
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the “Election Rigging Response Act,” which will ask voters to permit California to change its U.S. House districts in the middle of the decade in response to Texas possibly altering its congressional maps in favor of Republicans before the 2026 midterm election.
House districts are usually created at the beginning of every ten years after the decennial census. However, when Republicans gained support from Latino voters in the most recent election, President Donald Trump has urged Texas to redistrict its districts. In five seats that are currently held by Democrats, Texas’ new redistricting may offer Republicans an advantage.
Three legislation that aim to counteract the effects of Texas’ new maps were adopted by California lawmakers. Voters in California may approve a new, temporary congressional map under one law. A third law states that the new maps will be utilized for the 2026 midterm elections if voters approve them, while another bill describes the process for a statewide election in November.
Californians have been singled out by the Trump Administration, but because of the state legislature’s tireless efforts, people will have the opportunity to fight back and hold Trump accountable for his attempts to sabotage democracy.
Democrats would need to win three seats in order to obtain a majority in 2024, as Republicans won 220 of 435 seats. Midterm elections are typically favorable for the party that does not hold the White House.
Other states are thinking about changing their congressional borders in response to Texas’ move to possibly update its maps before 2026.
However, there is a danger associated with altering maps: the more seats a party attempts to secure in the House, the less secure those districts become.
In order to submit its revised maps to Governor Greg Abbott for final approval, the Texas Senate may vote as early as Friday.
