Pursuant to Elections Code Section 9005, we have reviewed the proposed initiative regarding congressional districts in California (A.G. File No. 25-0031).

Background

Each State Draws Congressional District Maps Following the U.S. Census. There are 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives (House). Each member of the House represents an area of the state called a congressional district. The U.S. Census is used by (1) the federal government to determine how many seats in the House are apportioned to each state and (2) states to draw new congressional district maps every ten years to reflect their number of House representatives and where people live. Each state decides what process it uses to draw its new district maps, but must follow federal laws. Historically, prior to 2025, states have rarely drawn new congressional districts sooner than every 10 years.

California Citizens Redistricting Commission. Before 2010, the California Legislature drew the state’s congressional district maps. In 2010, California voters gave this job to an independent commission known as the California Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission). The most recent maps drawn by the Commission were based on the 2020 U.S. Census and approved by the Commission in 2021 (2021 maps). The 2021 maps were used in the 2022 and 2024 congressional elections.

Proposition 50 (2025). In November 2025, California voters approved Proposition 50, replacing the 2021 maps with new legislatively drawn congressional district maps (Proposition 50 maps). Under current law, the Proposition 50 maps will be used beginning with the 2026 congressional elections and until the Commission draws new maps following the 2030 U.S. Census.

Proposal

Replace Proposition 50 Maps with 2021 Maps. Beginning in 2028, the measure would replace the Proposition 50 maps with the 2021 maps. The measure states that the 2021 maps would be (1) used in congressional elections in 2028 and 2030 and (2) replaced by new maps adopted by the Commission following the 2030 U.S. Census (these new maps would first be used in the 2032 congressional elections). This would effectively mean that the Proposition 50 maps would only be used in 2026 and then be replaced beginning in 2028.

Fiscal Effects

Minimal One-Time Effect If Approved in 2026. County elections officials will maintain elections materials (for example, precinct boundaries) related to the 2021 maps through the end of 2026 in case of any special elections to fill vacant congressional seats (current congressional representatives were elected in 2024 to districts established by the 2021 maps). Accordingly, if the measure were approved by voters in November 2026, it likely would result in minimal costs to counties of less than a few hundred thousand dollars statewide to revert back to the Commission’s 2021 Congressional maps. The Commission would establish new maps following the 2030 census.

Summary of Fiscal Impacts. We estimate that the measure would have the following fiscal effects:

• Likely minimal one-time costs to counties of less than a few hundred thousand dollars statewide to revert back to the Commission’s 2021 Congressional maps starting in 2028 until the Commission establishes new maps following the 2030 census.