California counties are scrambling to prepare for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s special election on redrawing congressional districts for the 2026 midterm. The effort will cost tens of millions of dollars.

California has an overwhelmingly Democratic delegation in Congress. Gov. Newsom’s plan could give his party five more seats and offset a Texas gerrymander.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday called on state lawmakers to approve a November ballot measure that would allow for a new congressional map, part of an effort to fight back against Republicans' mid-decade redistricting plans in Texas and elsewhere.