California Republicans File Suit Over Proposition 50, Alleging Unconstitutional Redistricting Plan Would Divide 114 Counties

California Republicans, led by attorney and former U.S. Senate candidate Mark Meuser, have filed an emergency petition with the California Supreme Court to block Proposition 50 from the upcoming November 4, 2025 special election ballot. The lawsuit alleges that the measure, which proposes a mid-decade redrawing of congressional districts, constitutes an unconstitutional "partisan power grab" by Governor Gavin Newsom and the state legislature.

The legal challenge centers on the "Election Rigging Response Act" (ERRA), a legislative package that includes Assembly Bill 604, Senate Bill 280, and Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8, the latter designated as Proposition 50. Meuser, representing Republican lawmakers and citizens, contends that the legislature employed a "gut and amend" tactic, inserting the redistricting plan into unrelated, existing bills to bypass the California Constitution's mandatory 30-day public review period for new legislation. "In a republic, the constitution is designed to protect the people from the tyranny of the majority," Meuser stated in a social media post, adding, "Gavin is trying to use his might to destroy the California Constitution so that he can amass more power for himself and his party."

Critics argue that the proposed new maps disregard the work of the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, which is typically responsible for decennial redistricting. Meuser highlighted the potential impact, claiming the plan would "chopping counties 114 times and cities 141 times," and specifically fragmenting communities in Walnut, Diamond Bar, Rowland Heights, Chino Hills, Baldwin Park, El Monte, Pico Rivera, and San Joaquin County. This, he asserts, violates the principle of keeping "communities of interest" together.

The lawsuit further argues that the legislature lacked the authority to draw these maps, as the power was previously vested in the independent commission by voter initiative. Meuser also invoked Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution, which states, "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government," suggesting Newsom's actions undermine this fundamental principle.

The filing follows a prior unsuccessful attempt by Republicans to halt the legislative process through an injunction. Governor Newsom has publicly dismissed the legal challenges, reportedly responding with "BRING IT" to news of a potential U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit threatened by former President Donald Trump over the redistricting effort.