New York [US], August 15: At an event to announce the new plan held on August 14 (local time), California Governor Gavin Newsom said he would ask voters in the state to approve the electoral district maps in a special vote on November 4.
According to him, this is a measure that could neutralize changes that Texas is planning to help the Republican Party win more seats in the US House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections, AFP reported today, August 15.
Mr. Newsom said his proposal would create five new seats in the US House of Representatives for California. Since California is traditionally a "blue state," meaning it is always held by Democrats, the new seats would almost certainly go to Democrats, thereby neutralizing any Republican gains after Texas redistricting.
The move came after Texas Governor Greg Abbott reportedly acted at President Trump's request to redraw the electoral district map in a way that favored Republicans.
Electoral districts are typically redrawn every 10 years, specifically based on the results of the national census to ensure an accurate reflection of the population.
However, Texas' attempt to change its map less than four years after the last one was seen by Democrats as a blatant attempt to strengthen the Republican Party's position, allowing it to maintain a narrow majority in the US House of Representatives after the 2026 midterm elections.
The Republican Party currently holds a 219-212 majority over the Democratic Party in the US House of Representatives.
Governor Newsom's campaign in California comes at a potentially pivotal time for Texas, where Republicans are nearing the end of a special session aimed at winning five more seats in the US House of Representatives in next year's election, Reuters reported today, August 15.
To prevent Governor Abbott's plan from passing, more than 50 Democratic lawmakers in Texas fled the state capitol building in Austin and sought refuge with Democratic members in states the party controls, including California.
Due to the inability to convene a full House of Representatives, a vote to redraw Texas' congressional districts has yet to take place.
The Texas special session is set to last 30 days and ends on August 15, although Governor Abbott has said he will seek an extension. It is unclear whether the California Democrats' actions will help Texas Democrats end their boycott of the vote.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
