California Republicans File Lawsuit To Pause Redistricting Plan

California Republicans filed a lawsuit on Tuesday to stop the Democrat-dominated state legislature from holding a vote by the end of this week to advance the redistricting push.

“Today I joined my colleagues in filing a lawsuit challenging the rushed redistricting process. California’s Constitution requires bills to be in print for 30 days, but that safeguard was ignored. By bypassing this provision, Sacramento has effectively shut voters out of engaging in their own legislative process,” Assembly member Tri Ta said on X.

The petition cites a section of the state constitution that requires a monthlong review period for new legislation.

Democrats are working quickly to set up a special election that would let voters weigh in on the redistricting plan to add up to five left-leaning seats in the heavily blue state. 

Republicans currently hold nine seats in California, compared to the Democrats’ 43.

“Last night, we filed a petition with the California Supreme Court to stop the California Legislature from violating the rights of the people of California,” Mike Columbo, a partner at Dhillon Law Group, said in a Tuesday press conference alongside California Republicans. 

“The California Constitution clearly gives the people of California the right to see new legislation that the Legislature is going to consider, and it gives them the right to review it for 30 days,” Columbo said.

California Democrats swiftly introduced the redistricting legislative package when they reconvened Monday after summer break, and they are expected to vote as soon as Thursday. They have until Friday to complete the plan in time to set up a Nov. 4 special election.

Columbo called that pace of action a “flagrant violation” under the state constitution. 

Democrats are aiming to put a ballot measure before voters that would allow temporary redistricting, effectively bypassing the existing independent redistricting commission — which was approved by voters more than a decade ago and typically redistricts after each census — to redraw lines in direct response to GOP gerrymandering in Texas.

Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez, one of the four Republicans behind the suit, told Fox News , “This isn’t about Texas. It’s about California voters and the choice they already made,” she said. “In 2008 and 2010, Californians passed Propositions 11 and 20 to create and expand an independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. Both measures passed with strong support, Prop 20 by more than 61%, because people wanted to stop gerrymandering and take power away from politicians. They voted for fairness, transparency, and accountability. Governor Newsom’s plan ignores that decision and tries to take back power for himself and Sacramento insiders. I’m going to stand with the voters and make sure their voices are respected.”

Newsom is considered a likely contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, and the California GOP claimed that “Newsom is kicking off his shadow presidential campaign by trying to rig and steal California’s independent, bipartisan citizen redistricting process.”

Last week’s event by Newsom also served as a fundraising kickoff to raise massive amounts of campaign cash needed to sell the redistricting push statewide in California. 

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