California Senate approves temporary mid‑decade redistricting package, sends maps to voters and sets Nov. 4 special election

The California State Senate on Aug. 21 approved a package of measures that would place temporary mid‑decade congressional maps before voters and authorize a Nov. 4 special election to implement them if the ballot measure is approved.

Senators voted to advance Assembly Bill 604 (AB 604) with temporary congressional maps, adopt Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8 (ACA 8) sending the question to voters, and pass Senate Bill 280 (SB 280) to appropriate funds and clear statutory changes so county registrars can administer the special election. The Senate recorded final tallies of 30 ayes to 9 noes on AB 604 and 30 ayes to 8 noes on ACA 8 and SB 280.

The measures are framed by backers as a defensive response to mid‑cycle redistricting adopted in Texas and other states. "This bill gives voters a choice, a choice to keep the current districts or adopt maps to counter the actions of MAGA extremists in Texas," Senator Susan Gonzalez said while presenting AB 604 as a joint author. Gonzalez and other supporters repeatedly characterized the package as a temporary, voter‑driven means to preserve competitive federal representation in the face of what they described as partisan mid‑decade moves elsewhere.

Opponents described the package as a partisan power grab, raised process and transparency concerns, and warned of cost and long‑term consequences. "This scheme is unconstitutional," Senator Brian Jones said in floor remarks opposing the…