California Supreme Court declines to stop Newsom's redistricting plan

Source: CBS News

Updated on: August 20, 2025 / 11:42 PM EDT


Washington — The California Supreme Court will not prevent Democrats from moving forward Thursday with a plan to redraw congressional districts.

Republicans in the Golden State had asked the state's high court to step in and temporarily block the redistricting efforts, arguing that Democrats — who are racing to put the plan on the ballot later this year — had skirted a rule requiring state lawmakers to wait at least 30 days before passing newly introduced legislation. But in a ruling late Wednesday, the court declined to act, writing that the Republican state lawmakers who filed the suit had "failed to meet their burden of establishing a basis for relief at this time."

The California legislature is set to vote on the redistricting plan on Thursday, which would send the bill to California Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk for approval.

Democratic state lawmakers in California introduced a set of bills to create new district boundaries in a way they hope would flip five congressional seats, a move made in response to President Trump and Texas Republicans' push to reshape five congressional districts in Texas to favor the GOP. Democratic state lawmakers in California, who have a supermajority in the legislature, want to pass the bills immediately so they can place the proposal in front of voters in a Nov. 4 special election. Democrats' proposal in California would try to flip five of the state's nine districts currently held by Republicans and make them more friendly for Democrats.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-supreme-court-declines-to-stop-newsoms-redistricting-plan/