Make Your Voice Heard: Elections Rigging Response Act

Dear Neighbor,

As your representative in the State Senate and Chair of the Senate Elections Committee, I wanted to provide you with an update regarding the response to Texas gerrymandering their congressional maps, including how to make your voice heard!

The California Legislature is considering three pieces of legislation to call a statewide special election, which include provisions to express California’s support of nonpartisan, independent redistricting nationwide and calls on Congress to initiate them nationwide. The legislation includes:

Senate Bill 280 – Calls a special statewide election for Nov. 4, 2025 for the voters to consider Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8. The bill also provides state funding for that election. 

Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8 – A proposed constitutional amendment would, if approved by the voters, implement new congressional districts pursuant Assembly Bill 604 that could take effect as soon as the 2026 elections.

Assembly Bill 604 – Contains the legal descriptions of the new California congressional maps that would be adopted if ACA 8 is approved. 

In California, YOU will ultimately decide—NOT THE LEGISLATURE—whether to approve the new congressional maps that would remain in place through 2030. 

We also ask that YOU share your thoughts on the proposed maps here.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is gerrymandering?

When politicians draw the voting district lines to only benefit themselves and not their voters. Several Republican-controlled states, most notably Texas, are considering gerrymanders aimed to eliminate seats currently held by Democrats. 

Can I see the proposed maps?

The maps can be viewed here. Public comment is being considered by the Senate Elections Committee. You can make your voice heard and share your thoughts on the proposed maps here.

So the redrawing of lines is definitely happening?

No, on November 4, California voters will ultimately decide whether to approve the new boundaries that would remain in place through 2030. 

Also, the new maps would only go into effect if Texas or any other state redraws their congressional maps. Otherwise, California’s current maps will stay in place.

How can I be involved?

I encourage you to have your voice heard and submit public comment regarding the proposed maps. Also, call your member of Congress and demand national reform to establish independent redistricting commissions in every state of the Union. You can find your member of Congress here.

What about California Citizens Redistricting Commissions?

As the author of the bill that created Riverside County’s Citizens Redistricting Commission, I believe that every state in the country should have an independent redistricting commission like California’s. The legislation in this package include provisions to express California’s policy to support nationwide independent redistricting reform, and calls on Congress to propose an amendment to the United States Constitution to require independent redistricting commissions in every state.