LOS ANGELES, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. state California's Governor Gavin Newsom said on Thursday the Democratic state would put a state constitutional amendment on the ballot in a Nov. 4 special election that could temporarily redraw the state's U.S. House districts when the Republican-led Texas changes its map mid-decade.
Newsom said the redistricting plan would allow a one-time adjustment in 2026, 2028 and 2030 "to respond to what's happening in Texas." Redistricting means redrawing electoral district boundaries that impact elections for the U.S. House of Representatives.
At a Los Angeles news conference, Newsom said, "I know they say 'Don't mess with Texas.' Well, don't mess with the great Golden State."
On Tuesday, with nine Democrats absent, the Texas Senate approved new Congressional lines in a rare mid-decade redistricting effort that could help Republicans remain in control of the U.S. House after the 2026 election.
The California's Governor's Office has outlined a package called the Election Rigging Response Act, which would temporarily enable adopting new state Congressional districts through 2030 if other states redraw their maps mid-decade.
Newsom said California's new maps would arrive within days and bills would be filed Monday to set a Nov. 4 special election for approving the state constitutional amendment, a step needed in redistricting. He also noted that the state would pause its redistricting plan if Texas and other states do not act. ■