California Is Better Than Gerrymandering

California likes to think of itself as a beacon of democracy, a place where independent commissions draw fair maps and voters choose their leaders, not the other way around. But Governor Gavin Newsom’s flirtation with redistricting as a political weapon to counter Texas’ gerrymandering is a dangerous step toward the very behavior we condemn. This is not leadership; it’s political gamesmanship, and it turns all Californians — Democrats, Republicans, and Independents/No Party Preference alike — into pawns in a petty contest between the nation’s two largest states. Texas’ actions are wrong, but meeting bad faith with bad faith only erodes the principles we claim to defend.

"Gerrymandering" was coined over 200 years ago to describe the unflattering, usually racist, political manipulation of legislative map making. For most states, the state legislature is responsible for designing the congressional district maps at the approval or veto of the Governor. However, in some states an independent commission is used to determine the congressional districts. Each state must update their maps after every 10-year census to ensure fair representation in one of the Nation's highest legislative bodies.

In 2019, the United States Supreme Court decided in Rucho v Common Cause that partisan gerrymandering is not illegal under the Constitution, giving states like Texas the legal fire to "give Trump 5 more seats". However, states are still challenged in the Nation's highest court - usually for violating the Voting Rights Act - for undermining the voting strength of communities of color.

August 11, 2025, the Texas Senate advances their new congressional lines, but is stalled by state House Democrats leaving the state to deny quorum.

August 14, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom unveils his "Election Rigging Response Act" and announces a November 4, 2025, special election to seek voter approval of new congressional maps to counter Texas' GOP gains, giving California House Democrats 5 more seats in Congress. Experts state this campaign could pencil out to be a $80-$100 Million campaign.

Both Texas and California have chosen to weaponize the very maps meant to ensure fair representation, reducing voters to bargaining chips in a cynical power struggle between political machines. This isn’t about protecting democracy - it’s about protecting seats and it’s happening at the expense of every citizen’s right to an equal voice. All voters, regardless of party, deserve fair, equitable representation in the federal government, and all candidates deserve a level playing field at the ballot box. At a time when engaged voters are more critical than ever, we cannot afford to further disenfranchise the public with a political process rigged by partisan peacocking.

By abandoning our own gold-standard process, California risks setting a disastrous precedent that will haunt us long after this moment’s partisan skirmish is over. We pride ourselves on being a model for the nation, yet here we are, lowering ourselves into the mud to play a game designed by - and for - the very same people who have long treated political power as their personal property. If we truly value democracy, it’s time to stop using voters as pawns and start defending the principles that give that word meaning.