The California Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a bid by Republican legislators to block Governor Gavin Newsom's plan to redraw the state's congressional map. GOP lawmakers had asked the court to intervene,

California voters backed independent redistricting for congressional seats and giving it up to counter President Trump creates a moral conflict even for Democrats.

Conservative opponents dominated the public comment at legislative hearings on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s congressional redistricting plan, though most were at the Capitol for an unrelated rally.

The vote targets congressional lines ahead of the 2026 midterms in a state where shifts could change control of the House of Representatives.

Gov. Gavin Newsom looks on as Speaker Emerita Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-San Fransisco, delivers remarks during a news conference on redistricting at the Governor's Mansion in downtown Sacramento on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. California legislative leaders met with Texas Democratic lawmakers about Republican plans to redistrict. DANIEL HEUER [email protected]

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is receiving a boost from his state’s voters as he moves to counter a plan backed by President Donald Trump, his longtime pollster wrote in an internal memo released by Axios on Thursday.

California Democrats' ability to do so may hinge on the outcome of a ballot measure Newsom announced last week that would allow a new map drafted by legislators to temporarily replace the boundaries drawn up by the state's independent redistricting committee following the 2020 census.

Voting officials are scrambling behind the scenes to prepare for the special electionl to redraw the state’s congressional districts.