As California lawmakers prepare to release draft congressional maps that would give Democrats an advantage in the 2026 midterm elections, a new poll finds that most residents oppose giving politicians the power to redraw district boundaries.
The Politico/Citrin Center survey of 1,445 registered voters found 64% support keeping the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, which voters created through 2008 and 2010 ballot measures to curb political influence in the process. Thirty-six percent favored shifting that responsibility back to the Legislature.
The poll, conducted July 28 to Aug. 12, found support for the commission consistent across age groups, ranging from 62% among Gen Z and millennials to 77% among members of the Silent Generation. College-educated voters were more likely than those without a degree to back the panel, 69% to 61%.
The study also showed that 72% of Democrats, 66% of Republicans and 61% of independents said they want to keep the commission.
A separate survey of 512 California policy influencers, including lawmakers, staffers and advocates, showed 61% preferring the commission and 39% backing legislative control.
Under state law, the commission redraws congressional and legislative boundaries every 10 years using U.S. Census data. Lawmakers’ proposal would temporarily shift that authority to the Legislature for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 elections, but only if Texas or another state redraws its maps during the decade. Authority would revert to the commission after 2030.
Opponents, including the League of Women Voters, former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Republican state lawmakers, have called the plan a form of gerrymandering. Philanthropist Charles Munger Jr. and the Protect Voters First campaign have launched a website opposing the effort.
Newsom is in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday promoting his redistricting proposal. The push comes as Texas Republicans advance their own redistricting plans favoring the GOP.