California Supreme Court rules on Republicans' second redistricting case

Lia Russell, The Sacramento Bee on Aug 27, 2025

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For the second time in as many weeks, the California Supreme Court blocked Republican lawmakers’ attempt to stop their Democratic counterparts from moving forward with a plan to redraw the state’s congressional boundaries.

The state’s highest court dismissed an emergency petition on Wednesday from a handful of senators and assembly members who had wanted to prevent Proposition 50 from being included on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Prop. 50, which is backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom and a consortium of organized labor and Democratic lawmakers, asks voters to approve a temporary map that would put more liberal voters into five districts currently held by Republican Reps. David Valadao, Kevin Kiley, Darrell Issa, Doug LaMalfa and Ken Calvert.

Newsom has been the most public champion for partisan redistricting to counter a similar plan in Texas, where Republicans shepherded through their Legislature a map that would redraw districts to eke out another five conservative-leaning seats to give the GOP an advantage in the 2026 midterms.

Republican state Sens. Tony Strickland and Suzette Martinez Valladares and Assemblymembers Kate Sanchez and Tri Ta filed their petition Monday. They argued that Newsom and his allies had rushed Prop. 50 through the Legislature without giving the public its mandate 30-day public review period, and violating the state constitution.

The Supreme Court previously denied Republicans’ attempt last week to block redistricting, saying it was premature because the Legislature had not yet passed the legislative package that placed Prop. 50 on the November ballot.

At a press conference Monday, the Republicans said they were confident they would prevail this time, after Newsom signed those bills into law last week.

The high court again sided with Democrats in its decision issued Wednesday.

“The petition for writ of mandate and application for stay are denied,” wrote Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. “Petitioners have failed to meet their burden of establishing a basis for relief at this time under California Constitution article IV, section 8.”

In a joint statement, Valladares, Strickland, Sanchez and Ta said the high court had “abdicated” its responsibility to provide a check and balance on other parts of the government.

The decision, they said, denied the voters “the opportunity to even hear the arguments being made, undermines voter confidence and sets a terrifying precedent that the governor and a willing Legislature can blatantly disregard and violate the constitution at will, without the fear of any accountability or punishment.”

“We are watching in real time the destruction of law-and-order, and of our republic at the hands of a Democratic governor, Democratic super-majority legislature and Supreme Court. This is likely only a sad preview of what is to come if Prop. 50 passes. We will continue to fight on behalf of Californians seeking an honest, transparent, and accountable government.”

“Trump and his toadies lose again!” said Yes on Prop. 50 campaign spokesperson Hannah Milgrom. “And they will lose once more November 4th when California votes decisively to protect our democracy and prevent Trump’s power grab.”

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