Undo the will of the voters. Again.

They’re laying the groundwork to dismantle one of the last remaining democratic safeguards in the state — the California Citizens Redistricting Commission.

At a Thursday press conference, Newsom announced that “a special election would be called, likely the first week of November,” to, as the governor put it, let voters “consider these new realities.”

“We will go to the people of this state in a transparent way and ask them to consider the new circumstances, to consider these new realities,” Newsom added.

His excuse? California needs to “respond” to Republican-led gerrymandering in red states.

Let that sink in: Democrats want to blow up California’s voter-approved, nonpartisan redistricting system because of what’s happening in other states.

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Texas Has Released Its New Congressional Map, and It’s a Bloodbath for Democrats

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A History Lesson

In 2008, voters passed Prop 11 — despite fierce opposition from the California Democratic Party, labor unions, and progressive groups.

Their argument? That the commission would “dilute minority voting power.”

Voters didn’t buy it. They were sick of politicians drawing their own districts behind closed doors.

In 2010, they doubled down with Prop 20, expanding the commission’s power to congressional lines. Again, Democrats fought it — and lost.

Those wins made California one of just 15 states with an independent redistricting commission. It’s not perfect, but it’s miles better than politicians rigging maps in back rooms.

Fast-forward 15 years: Democrats have won under this system — and now they want to tear it down to “get back” at red states?

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READ MORE: JD Vance Calls Out CA Dems Pushing for Redistricting As GOP Voters Are Already Underrepresented

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The Hypocrisy

This isn’t new.

Since 2011, Democrats have held a full trifecta and triplex in California: the governor’s office, both chambers of the legislature, the attorney general, and the secretary of state. Total control for more than a decade.

If they truly believed Prop 11 and Prop 20 hurt minority voters, they’ve had endless chances — and all the power — to repeal them.

But they didn’t.

Why? Because it worked just fine for them. They stayed in power. They kept winning. And they never made a peep about scrapping the commission… until now.

So what changed?

Not the map. The politics.

The Setup

California’s Citizens Redistricting Commission wasn’t created to play tit-for-tat with Texas. It was built to protect Californians from Sacramento — to take power away from politicians, period.

Now, Newsom claims he’s not trying to kill the commission — just “reform” it.

Right.

In California, “reform” is the Democrats’ code word for gutting whatever the voters passed — using budget cuts, court challenges, or ballot trickery.

Just ask Prop 36 supporters in 2024 what they voted for versus what they got. Not even in the same zip code.

This isn’t reform. It’s a setup.

They’re Panicking

Let’s be real: Democrats aren’t trying to reform redistricting. They’re trying to rig it before they lose control.

Why? Because the writing’s on the wall:

• 2026 is coming fast. Newsom’s shine is gone. Voters are furious — over crime, taxes, homelessness, housing, and the arrogance of one-party rule.
• Working-class and minority voters are shifting. The base Democrats took for granted is drifting. Latino, Black, and Asian communities are done being used as political pawns.
• The narrative is collapsing. California went from progressive model to national punchline — and everyone sees it.

Instead of competing on a fair map, Democrats are scrambling to rewrite the rules. The same people who called the commission “racist” in 2008 are now trying to destroy it — not because it failed, but because it worked.

They’re scared.

The Canary Died

Showing their desperation, California Democrats aren’t firing a warning shot — they’re trying to pull the trigger on a kill shot aimed straight at democracy.

Voters created the Citizens Redistricting Commission to keep politicians out of the map-drawing business. It’s been fair. Transparent. And Democrats still won.

So why gut it now?

Because they might not win forever — and that’s unacceptable to them.

Newsom and his allies are using red states as cover to seize control of redistricting here. Again.

But California isn’t Texas. And Prop 11 and 20 weren’t passed to play copycat politics. They were passed to stop this exact kind of power grab.

So ask yourself:

If the people approved it…

If it’s worked…

If Democrats have dominated under it…

Why gut it now?

Because they’re not protecting democracy, they’re protecting themselves. And if they’ll kill a voter-approved reform to hold onto power — what won’t they kill next?

The canary didn’t just stop chirping. The canary died.

And if California voters don’t wake up, the next thing buried will be their voice.

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