A new poll reveals that California voters strongly support maintaining the state’s independent redistricting commission, despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) push to return redistricting authority to the Democratic-controlled legislature. Newsom aims to redraw political maps favoring Democrats, in response to efforts by former President Donald Trump to encourage GOP-led states like Texas to do the same for Republicans.

The POLITICO–Citrin Center–Possibility Lab survey found that 64% of registered California voters want to keep the independent commission, while only 36% support handing power back to lawmakers. Support cuts across party lines, with 66% of Republicans, 61% of Democrats, and 72% of independents favoring the commission. Among policy influencers, 91% of Republicans back the commission, but a slim majority of Democrats (51%) support legislative control.

Jack Citrin, a UC Berkeley political science professor involved in the poll, noted the surprising divide within Democrats given Newsom’s strong advocacy. He explained that voters’ mistrust of politicians and previous approval of the independent commission influence the results.

Newsom plans to propose a constitutional amendment to pause the commission’s work, allowing the legislature to control maps for upcoming election cycles. The governor remains confident voters will back his plan, especially as support rises when framed along partisan lines.

Meanwhile, an Illinois judge denied Texas authorities’ request to prosecute Democratic lawmakers who fled to Illinois to block redistricting efforts, ruling the court lacked jurisdiction to enforce civil warrants on nonresidents. This reflects the ongoing tension over redistricting battles nationwide.