Gov. Gavin Newsom looks on as Speaker Emerita Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-San Fransisco, delivers remarks during a news conference on redistricting at the Governor's Mansion in downtown Sacramento on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. California legislative leaders met with Texas Democratic lawmakers about Republican plans to redistrict. DANIEL HEUER [email protected]

High-stakes redistricting battles unfold in Texas and California as Republicans and Democrats push new congressional maps ahead of 2026 midterm elections.

Hundreds of people rallied in Oakland on Saturday afternoon as part of a nationwide day of action denouncing efforts to redraw congressional districts in Texas.

California’s governor joins Democrats nationally in wanting to stop the president’s aggressive MAGA-based agenda.

Democratic state Representative Nicole Collier spent the night in the Texas Capitol building rather than agree to a police monitor amid a contentious partisan struggle over redistricting that is part of President Donald Trump's campaign to keep the national House of Representatives in Republican hands.

Republicans hold a 219-212 majority in the House, with four vacancies. New maps are typically drawn once a decade after the census is conducted. Many states, including Texas, give legislators the power to draw maps. California is among states that rely on an independent commission that is supposed to be nonpartisan.

The governor must convince Californians to adopt a ballot initiative allowing Democrats to redraw congressional maps and neutralize GOP gains in Texas.

In response to the Texas governor's attempts to redraw congressional districts, adding Republican seats in Congress, Newsom announces plans to redraw California congressional districts