California Governor Gavin Newsom is advancing an inflammatory proposal to redraw the state’s 52 congressional districts. Texas Republicans are raising money and marshalling GOP legislative support to massively redraw their 38 congressional districts in a special session. This multi-pronged effort seeks to head off a possible Republican wave in the Hoosier State. Newsom’s proposal is no doubt ambitious, but most political observers consider that proposal a longshot. This has caused great consternation among Democrats and Republicans alike.
The governor’s plan is designed to maximize the ability of California Democrats to pick up an extra five-to-seven congressional seats. This effort has faced an avalanche of criticism, with opponents calling the effort an anti-democratic power-grab. In 2010, California voters took a courageous step. They successfully passed a constitutional amendment that established a nonpartisan independent redistricting commission, removing the power of politicians to draw congressional districts. Newsom originally stood stronger behind this independent commission, which makes his change of heart all the more curious.
As the political landscape continues to change, Newsom positions his promise to veto maps as a tactical move that Democrats must play. He argues that Republicans have been playing by different rules, stating that “they can’t win by the traditional game so they want to change the game.” This view very much animates his conviction that Democrats need to be willing to play hardball too if they ever hope to compete.
Many Democratic members of California’s congressional delegation appear to support Newsom’s plan. Crucial legal issue, redistricting expert Dan Vicuña warns. He argues that the legislature cannot legally pass new maps unilaterally. It’s left critics questioning the politically motivated legitimacy and legality of Newsom’s plan.
Critics within the party express unease about abandoning the commitment to fair and equitable election districts for partisan advantage. Newsom himself acknowledges this concern, stating, “To abandon a commitment to fair and equitable election districts for partisan advantage is to sell family treasures at a pawn shop for a wad of quickly spent cash.” His comments illustrate the real tension within the party between the tactical advantages of such a move and the moral concerns over doing so.
Although many Democrats are in favor of honestly redrawing maps, some aren’t large enough — State Assemblyman Alex Lee, for example, rejects the very idea. Lee believes California’s independent, citizen redistricting process, while not perfect, is a competitive, fairer model used across the nation. And he’s right—gerrymandering is the very opposite of a fair competition and what it should be based on.
Republican leaders are calling for national, wholesale redistricting reform—federal intervention, if you will. Russell Yee, a former member of California’s independent redistricting commission, knows we have to address the deeper issue: redistricting itself. Heinze makes the case that focusing on state-level gerrymandering isn’t the answer.
Newsom’s proposal has not only attracted criticism from Republican lawmakers. It has drawn fire from within his own party. Democratic leaders have long aimed to force the issue by making independent redistricting commissions mandatory for all states in federal legislation. This is evidence of a deeper commitment shared among many in the party to defend democratic norms and values in our democratic processes.