Newsom Gets Brutal News After Vowing to
A new POLITICO–Citrin Center–Possibility Lab poll shows most Californians want to keep the state’s independent redistricting commission.
Despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s push to give map-drawing power back to the Democratic-controlled legislature.
Only 36% of registered voters support shifting authority, while 64% prefer the commission. Support spans party lines — 66% of Republicans, 61% of Democrats, and 72% of independents.
“It’s not surprising… California has voted twice for this independent review commission,” said UC Berkeley professor Jack Citrin, citing “mistrust and cynicism about politicians and the Legislature.”
Among political insiders, 91% of Republican influencers want to keep the commission, while 51% of Democratic influencers favor transferring power to lawmakers.
Newsom plans to seek a constitutional amendment to let legislature-approved maps be used in the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections, pausing the commission’s work.
He’s timing the move in response to redistricting battles in Texas.
