As Trump and Republicans rig the vote in Texas and other states, California lawmakers are fighting back. Today, legislation to call a special election, giving Golden State voters the final say, passed the Senate and Assembly election committees.
- Nick Miller
- Communications Director
- 916-319-2029
- Nick.Miller@asm.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO — Today, legislation to empower voters to fight back against Trump’s attacks on California passed the Senate and Assembly Elections committees.
Assembly Democrats have rallied around new legislation, which would set a special election on November 4 and give voters the final say on adopting new California Congressional maps.
The legislation also passed its first committee hearings on Tuesday with broad support, demonstrating a strong backing from Assembly Democrats as it advances through the process.
Republican-led redistricting schemes in Texas and other states are breaking apart communities and eroding public trust. GOP lawmakers are drawing maps behind closed doors, leaving voters out of the process entirely.
California is charting a different course. Assembly and Senate leaders’ legislation upholds the independence of the redistricting commission, defends voting rights protections, and maintains the integrity of California’s cities and neighborhoods.
- California will keep the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. The Legislature’s plan makes sure the Commission maintains its full scope of work and authority after the 2030 Census and beyond, redrawing California’s Congressional, state legislative and Board of Equalization lines every 10 years.
- California only acts if Republicans try to rig the vote. The legislation includes a trigger to ensure that maps will take effect only if other states effectuate partisan gerrymanders. Several Republican-controlled states, most notably Texas, are considering gerrymanders aimed to benefit their party. Unlike California, none are submitting those plans for voter approval.
- Every state in the country should have independent redistricting. The bills include provisions to express California’s policy to support nonpartisan, independent redistricting nationwide and would call on Congress to initiate a federal constitutional amendment to require nonpartisan, independent redistricting nationwide.
- Protecting the rights of all voters. The new map retains the voting rights protections enacted by the independent commission, and retains both historic Black districts and Latino-majority districts.
Keeping cities and communities together. The proposed Congressional map keeps more cities whole within a single district than the most recent map enacted by the commission.
What Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas Says
“We believe in accountability. We believe in elections decided by voters, not bullies. We’re putting the maps in front of the people first, and empowering voters to have the final say. Donald Trump will not decide the future of our democracy. The people will.”
What Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry Says
“AB 604 lays out new congressional districts only if voters pass ACA 8. Unlike the map proposed in Texas, the map in AB 604 respects California’s constitutional requirement for maintaining communities of interest, with less break up of local jurisdictions. And, after the 2030 census, the independent California Citizens’ Redistricting Commission will go back to drawing our congressional boundaries. With this bill we’re seeking the public’s input—because there’s nothing more democratic than California voters deciding. So, if California voters approve this plan, the temporary maps only happen if DC Republicans and Republican-led states push through mid-decade partisan maps first. Their choice is to stand down, or support a fair system for every state. That’s how this ends.”
What Assemblymember Isaac Bryan Says
"California has faced blow after blow from an authoritarian who is using his position in the White House to dismantle our democracy, line his pockets with taxpayer dollars, and shield himself from all accountability. Trump is now openly, shamelessly interfering with state elections to hold on to power. Here in California we will not let that happen without a fight. We will stand up for Democracy.”
What Former Elections Chair Assemblymember Marc Berman Says
“Donald Trump has unapologetically targeted California time and again over the past six months - targeting workers who power our economy, targeting California’s best in the world UC system, targeting the healthcare systems that Californians rely on when they get sick. Realizing how unpopular these actions are, Trump and Republicans now want to rig our democracy to guarantee they remain in power. We did not choose this fight, we do not want this fight, but with our democracy on the line, California cannot run away from this fight. Enough is enough. Trump and Republicans still have the chance to back away from their un-American power grab. California’s new maps will only go into effect if Republicans move forward with their reckless plans. As Californians, we do not bend the knee to those with authoritarian tendencies. If they don’t back down, California will fight back – and we will win.”
What Vice Chair of the Latino Caucus Assemblymember Juan Carrillos Says
“The president created this emergency when he called Texas to ask the governor to change the rules and redraw the districts. His goal is to manipulate the elections. California will not stand by while they attack our democracy.”
Overview of the Legislation
The Legislature will consider three measures in order to call and facilitate the special election:
- ACA 8 (Rivas, McGuire), which authorizes the replacement of the existing Congressional map
- AB 604 (Aguiar-Curry), which contains the new proposed Congressional map for voter approval
- SB 280 (Cervantes, Pellerin) to call the special election, appropriate funding for election administration, and make conforming changes to election calendars.
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For more information, follow Speaker Robert Rivas at the following social media channels:
Instagram: @caspeakerrivas
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CASpeakerRivas/