California Redistricting Proposals Draw Interest from Local Voters
Tracy Lehr
VENTURA, Calif. – Residents had the chance to see the proposed congressional maps up close Wednesday night at the Foster Library in Ventura, where a staffer from Congressman Salud Carbajal’s office hosted a public viewing.
The event coincided with the local Democratic Club’s monthly meeting and followed by one day a hearing of the Senate Standing Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments in Sacramento.
Voters will decide in November whether the state should undertake redistricting. Axios has reported that a majority of voters already support the idea.
Ventura County Democratic Party Chair Steven Auclair used the gathering to remind voters that the process can remain competitive.
“The map actually includes more minority-majority districts, stronger representation, and it could add up to five congressional districts,” Auclair said. “But again, they will just have to compete for those seats. Nobody’s getting wiped out. Those Republican incumbents will need to compete for voters, and again, it’s an open and transparent process.”
California’s proposal comes amid similar redistricting battles in Texas, where a new congressional map backed by President Trump and approved by the Texas House this week is expected to face legal challenges. Republicans hope changes in Texas will help protect the conservative majority in the U.S. House, while Democrats say Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposal is intended to preserve representation in California’s blue-leaning districts and counter mid-cycle GOP redraws elsewhere.
Under the proposed changes discussed Wednesday, Carbajal’s district would add Saticoy and unincorporated areas near Ventura that have seen population growth. Congresswoman Julia Brownley’s district would extend to include Calabasas, Woodland Hills, and portions of the Antelope Valley. Parts of Simi Valley and Moorpark would shift into Rep. Brad Sherman’s district.
The number of congressional representatives is based on population and is reapportioned each decade following the census. California’s current effort would be a mid-decade adjustment placed before voters, with supporters framing it as a limited response to out-of-state partisan changes and opponents warning it could weaken the state’s independent-mapping model.
Voter Saria Kraft, who invited O’Riley to speak at the Ventura event, urged participation in the fall election.
“I hope that people will vote on November 2 to embrace Governor Newsom’s concept, gaining different seats in this particular redistricting,” Kraft said.
Both Republicans and Democrats in California and Texas have accused the other party of gerrymandering, or manipulating district boundaries for political advantage. The term comes from Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry, who lent his name to the practice in the early 1800s.
The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.