California Congressional Redistricting Challenge (Hilton)
Hilton v. Weber
An anti-voting lawsuit challenging California governor Gavin Newsom’s congressional redistricting ballot measure.
Background
Steve Hilton, a Republican candidate for California governor, filed a lawsuit in California district court challenging the state’s congressional redistricting ballot measure (Proposition 50) for the upcoming Nov. 4 special election. Hilton asserts the ballot measure violates “equal protections for voters”as it draws congressional districts with unequal population sizes, and violates the state constitution’s prohibition on mid-decade redistricting. He argues that Proposition 50 does not account for changes in the state’s population since the 2020 Census and constitutes an arbitrary and capricious state action violating the “one-person, one vote rule” under the Equal Protection Clause. The lawsuit seeks to block Proposition 50 from the Nov. 4 special election ballot and prohibit the state from implementing the new congressional map.
Why It Matters
The Democratic redistricting measure was drawn up in direct response to Texas’ gerrymander, which could give the GOP five new congressional seats. Blocking the California plan would further tilt the playing field in favor of Republicans. The California Supreme Court has already rejected two previous GOP lawsuits challenging the redistricting plan.
Latest Updates
- Oct. 3, 2025: Plaintiff filed a motion for preliminary injunction, seeking to block Proposition 50 from the Nov. 4 special election ballot.
- Sept. 4, 2025: Plaintiff filed their complaint.