SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Diya TV) — California lawmakers are preparing to vote on new congressional maps this week in a high-stakes redistricting battle that could shift power in Washington. The proposal aims to give Democrats as many as five additional U.S. House seats, directly responding to Republican redistricting efforts in Texas.
The California Legislature will hear and vote on the proposed maps over the next three days. If approved, voters will decide their fate in a special election set for Nov. 4.
Democrats say the move is necessary after Texas lawmakers redrew districts to strengthen the Republican majority, with support from former President Donald Trump. California’s plan would target several Republican-held districts, reshaping them to favor Democrats.
But critics argue the new maps betray the independent redistricting system voters approved nearly 20 years ago.
The proposed maps could directly benefit top state lawmakers. Senate leader Mike McGuire, who terms out in 2026, reportedly had a new district tailored to align with his political base in Northern California. District 1, currently represented by Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa, would shift to include Mendocino, Lake, and Sonoma counties. The district’s voter registration would flip from 45% Republican to 41% Democratic under the new plan.
McGuire, who has not commented publicly, has been weighing a congressional run instead of seeking another statewide office.
In the Assembly, Speaker Robert Rivas is also seen as a potential beneficiary. Rivas has long been rumored to consider a bid for Congress in District 18, a safe Democratic seat now held by Rep. Zoe Lofgren. The new maps leave the district largely intact, preserving its Democratic majority.
A spokesperson for Rivas said the maps are not designed to benefit individual politicians but to protect voting rights. “This is the most transparent maps adoption in America,” said Elizabeth Ashford. “Voters get to decide and see what they’re voting for.”
Opponents say the maps were drawn behind closed doors and favor incumbents. Amy Thoma Tan, a spokesperson for the Protect Voters First coalition, said the plan undermines trust.
“These maps were drawn by politicians and party insiders with no input from the public,” Tan said. “That is a clear conflict of interest and undermines public trust in the fairness of our elections.”
Republican Assemblymember Carl DeMaio of San Diego said he plans to launch a citizens’ initiative in response. His measure would block lawmakers who vote for the maps from seeking office in California for 10 years.
“The state constitution already bans members of the Independent Citizens’ Redistricting Commission from running for office for a decade,” DeMaio said. “If politicians want to seize back power, they should be held to the same standard.”
One of the most closely watched races will be in District 22, now held by Republican Rep. David Valadao. Democrats already hold a slight edge in voter registration there, and the new maps add even more Democratic voters.
Democratic Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains, who launched a campaign to unseat Valadao, could benefit. But Bains has broken with her party, signaling she will not support the new maps.
“The Texas redistricting scheme is an affront to democracy,” Bains said in a statement. “This has become a race to the bottom where an eye for an eye will make the whole world blind. I oppose any effort to circumvent independent redistricting, and the courts should act to stop these political games.”
Her opposition highlights the uneasy balance for Democrats who want to challenge Republican incumbents without appearing to undermine fair elections.
If lawmakers pass the plan this week, voters will have the final say in November. The outcome could reshape California’s congressional delegation and impact control of the U.S. House.
At the same time, DeMaio’s proposed initiative could be on the ballot in 2026 if it gathers enough signatures. That measure would test how far Californians are willing to go to keep politicians out of the redistricting process.
For now, the fight over California’s political maps underscores the growing national battle over redistricting. Both parties are pushing new boundaries — literally — in their bid to control Congress.
