By Cresencio Rodriguez-Delgado

Central Valley Journalism Collaborative

California lawmakers have released a proposed congressional map that could reshape political boundaries across the state, including parts of the Central Valley’s Westside, as they prepare for a special election in November.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for a Nov. 4 vote on the “Election Rigging Response Act,” a measure that would temporarily adopt new congressional districts through 2030 and preserve the state’s independent redistricting process. The move comes in response to a Republican-led redistricting effort in Texas that could shift five seats in the U.S. House.

“We can’t stand back and watch this democracy disappear district by district all across the country,” Newsom said at a rally in Los Angeles.

The proposed map, released under Assembly Bill 604, shows significant changes to several districts. House District 22, held by Republican Rep. David Valadao, would stretch from Bakersfield to Fresno County, potentially giving Democrats a slight edge. House District 23, represented by Democrat Adam Gray, would expand north to include parts of Stockton, making the seat more securely Democratic.

Gray’s district currently includes much of Merced and Stanislaus counties, and under the new proposal, Westside communities such as Newman, Gustine, Santa Nella and Crow’s Landing would remain within District 13. While the boundaries around these towns would not change, the district’s expansion into more urban areas could dilute rural influence.

Local officials and advocacy groups are monitoring the changes closely. In Merced County, Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria introduced legislation earlier this year to establish an independent redistricting commission for county-level seats beginning in 2030. Meanwhile, a lawsuit filed by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) in Stanislaus County alleges that the 2021 supervisor and school board maps unfairly reduce Latino voting power.

If approved by voters, Proposition 50 would suspend the California Citizens Redistricting Commission’s authority and lock in the new congressional map until the next census. Analysts say the changes could result in five additional Democratic seats in the House by the 2026 midterms.

California currently has nine Republican representatives in Congress. The new map could reduce that number further, solidifying the state’s Democratic majority.

Voters can view the proposed map and check their district boundaries at aelc.assembly.ca.gov/proposed-congressional-map.

Westside Connect Editor Sabra Stafford contributed to this story.