California Republicans File Lawsuit to Block Mid-Decade Redistricting Ballot Measure

California Republicans have filed multiple legal challenges to block a Democratic-led ballot measure, Proposition 50, slated for the November 4 special election that would allow mid-decade redistricting of congressional districts. The Republicans argue that the measure violates the California Constitution by bypassing a required 30-day public review period, combining unrelated subjects into one ballot measure, and undermining the authority of the state's independent redistricting commission, which voters previously approved. Democrats, led by Governor Gavin Newsom, contend that the initiative is a necessary response to Texas’ redistricting efforts, which aim to flip five seats from blue to red, whereas California's maps would likely flip five seats from red to blue. The Republicans accuse Democrats of attempting to permanently transfer redistricting power to the legislature and warn that the measure threatens democratic principles by predetermining election outcomes. President Donald Trump has supported the GOP legal efforts and indicated plans for the Justice Department to file a lawsuit against California's redistricting. The cases are pending before the California Supreme Court, which must decide whether to remove the measure from the ballot.