On 21/8, the California legislature passed the first of three bills designed to redraw the state's congressional map, a move that could give Democrats as many as five additional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives in next year's midterm elections.

California's Democratic majority argued that this action is necessary to counter what they call a "power grab" by Republicans in the Texas House, which approved a new map a day earlier, adding five Republican-leaning districts.

The Texas Senate is expected to approve the map today and send it to Governor Greg Abbott for his signature.

"Texas, you started this," California Governor Gavin Newsom said after signing the new legislation. "We would not be doing this if Texas hadn't started it first."

However, California faces more obstacles than Texas due to its state constitution, which mandates an independent, non-partisan commission to draw congressional districts. The bills introduced by Democrats on 21/8 propose amending this constitutional provision, giving the legislature the power to redraw the maps. These proposals will only take effect if approved by voters in a direct ballot measure expected in November.

California Governor Gavin Newsom in Los Angeles on 26/3. Photo: *AP*

If voters approve the measure in this special election, the California legislature could bypass the independent commission and approve a new congressional map, similar to Texas.

Governor Newsom and his Democratic allies in the legislature argue that this partisan response is necessary to curb the influence of former President Donald Trump, who they say pushed Texas to redraw its map.

Following each U.S. Census, states reallocate their U.S. House seats based on population changes. This process requires states to redraw their congressional district boundaries to ensure each district has roughly the same population.

The most common method for redrawing district lines involves the state legislature drafting and approving a new map. This often leads to the party in power attempting to draw maps that give them an electoral advantage in U.S. House races, a practice that has sparked controversy in several state legislatures.

California has 52 seats in the U.S. House, 9 of which are currently held by Republicans.

Beyond Texas and California, legislatures in other states have also entered the redistricting fray, seeking to maximize their party's advantage. Republicans are looking to redraw maps in Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, and Florida, while Democrats are considering expanding their advantage in Illinois.

Duc Trung (*Washington Post, AP, CBS News*)