California Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposal for a November special election to return redistricting authority to politicians is projected to cost taxpayers at least $235.5 million, according to the Assembly Republican Caucus Office of Policy and Budget. This move aims to reverse a 2010 constitutional amendment that transferred redistricting powers from the legislature to the Citizens Redistricting Commission, an independent entity designed to prevent gerrymandering.
Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a proponent of the original redistricting reform, has expressed concerns about dismantling the commission, stating that gerrymandering is detrimental regardless of who engages in it. He criticized the efforts to shift power away from voters.
The financial implications of this special election come in the wake of the last statewide special election, the 2021 recall, which cost $200.2 million. Since then, rising costs due to inflation, increased postage rates, and a growing number of registered voters have further escalated election expenses.
This fiscal estimate follows a recently signed budget by Newsom that reduced funding for wildfire prevention, mental health services, and support for individuals with disabilities and crime victims, raising questions about the prioritization of state spending. Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher has criticized the plan, arguing that it undermines the independent commission established by voters to prevent political manipulation of electoral maps. He characterized the proposal not as reform, but as an effort to rig the rules in favor of political interests.
