Gavin Newsom (AP)
The California Supreme Court on Wednesday denied a petition filed by Republican legislators seeking to delay legislative action on a redistricting package that could place new congressional maps before voters this November, reported ABC news.”The petition for writ of mandate and application for stay are denied,” the court stated, citing a lack of sufficient grounds under Article IV, Section 8 of the California constitution. No further explanation was provided, as quoted by the news outlet.Republican State Senators Tony Strickland and Suzette Martinez Valladares, along with assembly members Tri Ta and Kathryn Sanchez, responded in a joint statement. “Today’s Supreme Court decision is not the end of this fight… We will continue to challenge this unconstitutional power grab in the courts and at the ballot box. Californians deserve fair, transparent elections, not secret backroom deals to protect politicians.”The legislative package, backed by Governor Gavin Newsom, proposes a November special election to seek voter approval for new congressional district boundaries. Floor votes on the legislation are scheduled for Thursday.Republicans raised concerns over the cost of the proposed election, with no official estimate yet included in the bill. California’s department of finance said the issue is still developing. Assemblymember Dianne Dixon remarked, “No one has time to figure this out, where the money is going to come from,” according to ABC news.An unofficial estimate of $230 million was cited by assembly appropriations committee chair Buffy Wicks in comments to KGO-TV, though the department of finance has not confirmed this figure.In response to the proposed maps, Republican legislators said they have sent a letter to the US department of justice and US attorneys in California, requesting an investigation into alleged partisan bias in the drafting process. The letter, obtained by KGO-TV, claims some Democratic lawmakers may have influenced map lines for personal political benefit. At a Sacramento press conference, assemblymember Carl Demaio called the process “corrupt” and said a federal probe might be necessary.Democratic Senate President pro tempore Mike McGuire countered the claims, stating, “The hypocrisy of California Republican leaders is astounding… In California’s plan, voters have the final say. This is about fairness.”The legislative package, named the “Election Rigging Response Act”, will be debated and voted on in both legislative chambers on Thursday.
