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Written by: Guest Commentary
Jeanne Raya
Jeanne Raya resides in San Gabriel and runs an insurance company. She chaired the first independent redistricting commission in California.
California’s Citizens Redistricting Commission was established in 2008 by the Voters First Act. It is an independent commission made up of individuals who represent the variety of the state. In an effort to ensure that voters came first, good government organizations pushed the ballot question ahead. Two years later, I was a member of the first commission.
When an independent commission was approved by voters, the backroom political gerrymandering that had plagued California redistricting for decades was essentially put a stop to.
Members of the commission created new maps in complete transparency, providing the public with access to over 100 public meetings and many channels for submitting textual feedback. In order for the commission to designate districts that would give voters an equal opportunity to choose representatives who are accountable, voters could define their communities, environment, infrastructure, and economy.
Creating fair maps was a difficult but worthwhile endeavor that took about a year to finish. Due to its complete transparency and lack of partisan self-interest, the California panel is now regarded as the gold standard for redistricting.
If only Texas could absorb California’s lessons. There, lawmakers’ current effort to rig the 2026 election in favor of Republicans at President Donald Trump’s request reflects the ugliest self-interest of those in positions of power who are so terrified of losing their jobs that they will only consider cheating.
Governor Gavin Newsom threatened retaliatory mid-cycle redistricting in California in an attempt to elect more Democrats as a result of their drive to stack the congressional deck. For this one time, he suggests ignoring the independent panel and calling a special election to approve newly created maps created by lawmakers.
Replacing members of Congress who have forgotten their responsibility to serve constituents and uphold the Constitution is something I would be happy to do as a registered Democrat. However, neither California’s Constitution nor its citizens, who demanded impartial, nonpartisan redistricting, can be sacrificed for this.
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Democracy be damned: Texas and California plot dueling congressional gerrymanders
According to Newsom, the Texas Republicans’ threat demands a counterattack. In Washington, we see the turmoil and distrust brought about by revenge politics on a daily basis. Californians don’t deserve that kind of responsible governance. Spending millions of government funds on the hope that alternative congressional districts will bring about the desired change is not worth it.
Is the governor willing to take the chance of losing incumbents in more contested districts or of not electing the magic number of Democrats required to defeat Texas and, perhaps, a number of other conservative states?
Democrats can retake Congress, according to Newsom, provided the American people are given a fair shot, a voice, and a choice. In California, the independent redistricting panel already gives the voters that opportunity.
While Newsom waits for Texas to act, we know that maps are already being created in California. However, he might want to think about a different approach to the redistricting struggle.
Legislation to outlaw mid-decade redistricting nationwide was sponsored by Representative Kevin Kiley. I’m not sure what motivated Kiley, a Republican from Placer County, to contemplate a national solution to a national issue, but it would be a positive endeavor.
In order to avoid sacrificing the independent redistricting commission and the state’s limited financial resources for short-term political benefit, Californians should insist that Newsom and legislative leaders honor the people’s will. the State’s meager financial means, for immediate political advantage.
READ more
Newsom wants voters to weigh in on new congressional districts in November
Newsom s congressional redistricting drive in California faces political and legal hurdles
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