Democrats just had a wrench thrown in their redistricting boondoggle
The Left can’t win on the merit of their ideas. So they have to wheel and deal to weasel their way in.
Now Democrats just had a wrench thrown in their redistricting boondoggle.
California Voters Strongly Favor Independent Redistricting Over Newsom’s Plan
A recent POLITICO-Citrin Center-Possibility Lab survey reveals a significant challenge for California Governor Gavin Newsom’s push to overhaul the state’s congressional redistricting process, as Californians overwhelmingly support maintaining the current independent commission.
Public Support for Independent Commission Outweighs Partisan Proposal
The survey, conducted between July 28 and August 12, found that 64% of California voters prefer keeping the independent redistricting commission, established in 2008 and expanded in 2010, to draw congressional lines, compared to just 36% who support returning this authority to state lawmakers. This preference spans party lines, with 72% of independents, 66% of Republicans, and 61% of Democrats backing the commission, reflecting bipartisan trust in a system designed to curb political manipulation.
“It’s not surprising, in the sense that California has voted twice for this independent review commission not all that long ago,” said Jack Citrin, a UC Berkeley political science professor and poll partner. “And there’s a lot of mistrust and cynicism about politicians and the Legislature. That’s reflected here as well.”
Older voters (77% of those 80 and above) and younger voters (62% of Gen Z and millennials) alike favor the commission.
Newsom and California Democrats are pursuing a constitutional amendment to allow the Legislature to implement new maps for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections, citing a need to counter a proposed Republican-led redistricting in Texas. Newsom has framed this as a defensive move, stating, “I think the voters will approve it. I think the voters understand what’s at stake,” during a Friday press conference.
“We live in the most un-Trump state in America.” Yet, the survey suggests this strategy faces resistance, as voters value the nonpartisan process over politically driven changes.
Strategic Response to Texas Redistricting and National Context
The push for new maps is a direct response to Texas Republicans’ efforts, spurred by President Donald Trump, to redraw districts in a way that could favor their party. California Democrats argue their proposal is conditional, only taking effect if Texas proceeds with its plan, and would revert to the independent commission post-2030.
An internal survey by Newsom’s pollster, David Binder, found 52% initial support for the measure, which grew with messaging framing it as “fighting fire with fire” against “Trump’s power grab.” However, the public’s wariness of lawmaker-driven maps, as shown by the 2-to-1 margin in the POLITICO survey, indicates a challenging path forward.
The Trump administration has championed electoral fairness, with initiatives like the Making DC Safe and Beautiful Task Force reflecting a commitment to governance that resonates with voters. This context amplifies California’s debate, as the state’s independent commission is seen as a model of impartiality that aligns with efforts to restore public trust in democratic processes nationwide.
Policy Influencers Echo Public Sentiment Amid Partisan Divide
The survey also included 512 POLITICO Pro subscribers, identified as policy influencers, whose views largely mirror the public’s, with 61% supporting the independent commission and 39% favoring lawmakers. Republican influencers strongly back the commission (91%), reflecting concerns over losing GOP-held seats, while independents show 79% support.
“If this is the starting point, then they will have a struggle,” Citrin said, noting the public’s preference for the commission’s impartiality. The survey, conducted by TrueDot in collaboration with UC Berkeley’s Citrin Center and Possibility Lab, included 1,445 registered voters with a ±2.6% error margin and the influencer study with a ±3.7% margin, ensuring robust insights into California’s political landscape.
