Gov. Newsom announces plan for temporary redistricting measure to counter Texas map changes

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California will pursue a temporary statewide ballot measure to redraw congressional districts and add five seats, saying the move is a direct response to Republican-led redistricting in Texas.

Newsom said the state aims to place the measure on the ballot this year and that maps will be released next week. "We have till August 22. With the leadership behind me, they will get this on the ballot," Gov. Gavin Newsom said. He described the proposal as a transparent, temporary response that would seek voter approval in a special election in November that would coincide with municipal contests.

The announcement was made at a Sacramento event attended by state legislative leaders and members of a visiting Texas Democratic delegation. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire joined Newsom in framing the measure as a defense of voting rights. "California is moving forward as a state that's larger than 21 state populations combined," Speaker Robert Rivas said, adding that the approach would preserve the state's independent redistricting commission and ask voters for their consent.

U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation, and former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi voiced support. "We cannot allow these elections to be rigged without a response," Lofgren said, describing the visit by…