California Supreme Court Rejects GOP Bid to Derail Newsom’s Redistricting Plan

The California Supreme Court late Wednesday denied a Republican petition to block the state’s new redistricting plan. 

The decision clears the way for Democrats in the legislature to approve the map, which would then be placed on the ballot in a November special election. 

“The petition for writ of mandate and application for stay are denied,” the court wrote. “Petitioners have failed to meet their burden of establishing a basis for relief at this time under California Constitution article IV, section 8.”

The lawsuit, brought by three GOP state lawmakers, argued that the legislature was barred from acting on the plan for several more weeks because new legislation requires a 30-day review period. 

If approved by voters, the new map could give Democrats five more seats in the U.S. House. It’s an effort by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to neuter Texas’ gerrymander, set to receive final passage Thursday, which gives the GOP an additional five seats. 

Texas acted after pressure from President Donald Trump, who is looking to rig next year’s midterms to maintain a GOP-controlled Congress.