California Congressional Redistricting Challenge (Strickland)

A Republican lawsuit seeking to block California Governor Gavin Newsom’s congressional redistricting plan.

Background

Four Republican state lawmakers have filed a lawsuit in the California Supreme Court against Secretary of State Shirley Weber (D) and other state officials, seeking to block Governor Gavin Newsom’s (D) redistricting plan outlined in AB 604 and SB 280. The plaintiffs argue that the state constitution prohibits the legislature from acting on the redistricting bills until Sept. 18, 2025 because new legislation requires a 30-day public review period. They claim both the public and lawmakers were denied their constitutional right to review the proposals and are asking the court to halt any further action on the bills until the full 30-day review period has passed.

Why It Matters

This marks the latest escalation in a growing national redistricting battle sparked by President Trump’s request for Texas lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional map to secure five additional House seats and help Republicans retain control of the House in 2026. In response, California Democrats introduced a package of bills to redraw their own district lines in an effort to flip five seats and offset the impact of Texas’ plan. Because California’s redistricting is done by an independent commission, Democrats are looking to set up a November 4 special election in which voters would be asked to pass a constitutional amendment allowing lawmakers to draw the maps. Delays in the progress of this redistricting plan could impact preparations for the upcoming election. 

Latest Updates

• Aug. 20, 2025: The California Supreme Court denied the Republicans’ petition for writ of mandate and application for stay. This means Democrats can move forward with their proposed ballot measure aimed at countering the effects of Texas’s redistricting plan.
• Aug. 18, 2025: Petitioners filed their petition.