Martin's Editorial

Redistricting, aka gerrymandering, is the big campaign issue for California this Fall.  It is important to understand what Gavin Newsom’s ballot measure is, and what it is not.

It is a response to Trump’s effort to change the Congressional Districts in Texas. The California measure goes into effect if, and only if, Texas proceeds with their redistricting. No one is claiming that it is a good idea – only that it is a necessary step taken to avoid the consequences of a bad idea in another state.

It is not a repudiation of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, enshrined in the California Constitution. The Newsom measure is temporary work around from the lines drawn by the independent commission.

Even with the avowed objective of gaining more Democratic districts, this measure is not a return to the old ways of gerrymandering legislative districts. In the “old days” new district lines were drawn not just to maximize the fortunes of on party over another, but also to cause trouble for some incumbent legislators while rewarding others. It was, in part, a very personal matter. Two legislators you did not care for who happened to live close to one another – change the district lines so they are now in the same district and one of them is likely out of office after the next election.

There is the possibility that this exercise will turn out to be unnecessary. Gerrymandered redistricting is done on the assumption that there is good information about how voters in each precinct will vote in the coming elections. With Trump in office, it is likely that the Democrats will do better than usual in the 2026 elections. There is also an added factor with a bitter intra-party fight in Texas as the Attorney General is expected to run in the Republican primary against John Cornyn the incumbent US Senator. Those factors, along with the new district maps in Texas could result in fewer – rather than more – Republicans from Texas in the US House of Representatives.

It is vitally important for the Democrats to regain control of the US House of Representatives in 2026!  The California redistricting plan is not the perfect way to proceed, but unquestionably it will help. While Trump and those he controls can do permanent damage to the country, this proposition is clearly, and unambiguously temporary. Do what you can to help get it passed!

Martin Gorfinkel