California's ballot initiative process could compel voters to address gerrymandering spurred by Texas legislators. Governor Gavin Newsom's resolute stance signals potential repercussions for Texas's actions, pushing for a direct voter response. Newsom's proposal might present voters with a choice on whether to also manipulate California's voting maps. This situation reflects a troubling trend of compromising democratic principles amid growing authoritarianism, as highlighted by scholars noting a profound shift in electoral integrity and democratic safeguards in the current political climate.
"Whatever they are doing will be neutered here in the state of California, and they will pay that price," Newsom said. "They've triggered this response. And we're not going to roll over, and we're going to fight fire with fire."
If Newsom has his way, voters in November would face some version of an if/then question: "If Texas cheats on their voting maps, then (and only then) should California cheat on ours?"
This is something that we have just never seen before, right?" Mindy Romero told me. She's an assistant professor and the founder of the Center for Inclusive Democracy at USC's Sol Price School of Public Policy.
Romero is against gerrymandering, but also agrees that we are in "unprecedented times," a phrase that doesn't seem to do justice to the daily trampling of democratic safeguards by our president.
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