Letters to the Editor: An old ballot measure isn't more important than fairness in our national elections
Project 2025, a plan connected to several in President Trump's administration and with which his policies have so far closely aligned, means to undermine the very foundations our system is built on. California is under threat, with the federal government taking away funding and trampling our state's legal authorities. If Republicans in Texas and elsewhere essentially help rig the 2026 elections through mid-decade redistricting, those of us who still believe in democracy have to fight back by winning state-level elections and making sure Texas Republicans can't disproportionately grab power in the national election.
It would be naive to prioritize protecting a 15-year-old ballot measure when fairness in our elections is at stake. I appreciate that Newsom recognizes this and I support his proposal.
Judith Lipsett, Claremont
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
6 minutes ago
- CBS News
Texas redistricting battle to start new phase with Democrats expected return to Capitol
For the second week, Republicans and Democrats have continued their showdown over new congressional maps in Texas, which will result in five new GOP-majority districts at the expense of Democrats. But the fight is about to enter a new phase on Monday, Aug. 18. Democrats who broke quorum and left Texas, killed the first special session, and didn't show up for the start of the second special session — many believe they will Monday. Speaker Dustin Burrows said House members must be at the Capitol at noon. Friday, Aug. 15, Burrows ended the first special session after the House once again fell short of a quorum, which requires 100 lawmakers to be present. The Senate ended its first special session, too, and then Governor Greg Abbott called for the start of the second special session, with the same agenda, to start a couple of hours later Friday, at noon. Democrats said they wanted to kill the first special session, which allowed them time to go to other states, such as California, where Governor Gavin Newsom said if Texas approves its new maps, California will do the same to neutralize any GOP gains. "We can't stand back and watch this democracy disappear district by district all across the country," Newsom said. "We are not bystanders in this world. We can shape the future." The difference there is that voters in California will have to approve it, something that won't happen in Texas. During an unrelated news conference on Friday, Aug. 15, CBS News Texas's Jack Fink asked Gov. Abbott about Newsom's plan. In an exclusive interview, Abbott spoke about his ongoing lawsuit to remove House Democratic Caucus Chairman Gene Wu from office and whether Republicans will try to increase the number of new GOP majority congressional seats to not just five, but as many as eight or more. Abbott said, " They are [Democrats] are required by the Texas Constitution to actually show up and cast votes on bills. That's what the Constitution requires. That's why I'm seeking to remove Gene Wu, because he's not fulfilling his constitutional duty." As for adding more seats, Abbott said, " In reference to the lawsuit, Wu shared his thoughts concerning Abbott and when Democrats will return. For the past couple of weeks, House Republicans have expressed frustration about Democrats breaking quorum. Representative Shelley Luther of Grayson County about the end of the first special session and what she wants to happen next with redistricting. For now, Republicans have proposed adding the same five GOP majority districts in Congress as they have before. Abbott has not added redistricting for State House seats, and he was asked about it. "Every strategy is at play... if we need to," said Abbott. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, of Dallas, said she's considering running in a different Congressional district in North Texas than the one she represents now. In North Texas now, there are three Democrats who serve in Congress, but under the new maps, there will only be two districts. That's because District 32, now represented by Democrat Julie Johnson, will become a Republican majority district and extend to East Texas. District 33, now represented by Democrat Marc Veasey, of Fort Worth, includes both Tarrant and Dallas Counties, but under the new maps, will only be in Dallas County. Crockett said she's considering running in the newly drawn 33rd Congressional District, because her home will be in that district, instead of the 30th District she represents now. Last week, Congressman Veasey and Congresswoman Johnson both said they are focused on the fight against the new maps first, and will then consider their options for re-election. A new poll shows mixed results about how Texans feel about the newly proposed Congressional maps. Regarding the five new GOP majority Congressional seats, the Emerson College poll of 1,000 registered voters in Texas found 36% support the new maps, while 38% oppose them, and 26% are unsure. But when asked if Republicans in Texas are entitled to five more seats, something President Trump said, 40% of those surveyed said they agreed, 38% disagreed, and 22% were neutral. Burrows signed civil arrest warrants against the Democrats who broke quorum. The new poll showed 41% agreed they should be arrested, 37% disagreed, and 22% were neutral. And in the bitter Republican primary for the Texas Senate race, the poll found 30% support for incumbent Senator John Cornyn, with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton one point behind at 29%. Five percent said they want someone else, and 37% are undecided. Previous polls have shown Paxton leading Cornyn.
San Francisco Chronicle
35 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Letters: Democrats are running state into the ground. Why would you want more of them in office?
If Gov. Gavin Newsom succeeds in getting a redistricting measure passed that will favor Democrats, California will suffer. All red states will retaliate and legislate Democrats out of Congress, while California remains deep blue. It will be another victory of virtue signaling over results, something Newsom has excelled at throughout his career. But it will cement Democrats' absolute dominance in state politics and crush Republican resistance. If Republicans ever get smart enough to offer candidates that aren't welded to President Donald Trump's stern and offer realistic solutions to the state's problems, I'm ready to vote for one — and I'm a Democrat. Democratic voters must ask themselves, are you better off than you were 14 years ago? By any objective measure, the world's fourth-largest economy is a failed state. It has some of the country's highest taxes, insurance rates, poverty rates, utility rates and homeless population, but is ranked near the bottom in education, despite wasted billions. Larry Bothen, Pacifica Create a new New Deal I worry about the Democrats. Oh, I'm all for fighting fire with fire. But getting down and dirty with the Republicans is not a program. Democrats have to tackle the problems that threaten America and the human race. And that involves doing everything differently from President Donald Trump. This is not the time to shrink the role of government. We need to invest in our future — in science, education and health care; we need to create new green technologies that can enable us to make peace with our stressed-out planet. The Democrats have to resuscitate the values of the New Deal. In order to get everybody on board, we need to better share our country's great wealth. One lesson we have learned from Trump: If people feel the American Dream is beyond their reach, they are easy targets for demagogues. Saving democracy and a commitment to care about each other go hand in hand. Matthew Hallinan, Berkeley Make U.S. truly great The Jeffrey Epstein debacle should wake up every citizen in this country to the incompetence of the Trump administration. President Donald Trump seems more interested in fulfilling his own needs and grievances, which are not making America great again, but making this country look ridiculous. Some people have been waiting for someone like him whom they can use for their agenda of furthering their economic interests on the backs of everyone else. I hope that those who optimistically voted for Trump will come to understand how each of them will be personally affected by the cuts to services. Elizabeth Rogers, Alameda
The Hill
2 hours ago
- The Hill
Newsom faces opportunities, risks with redistricting fight
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is leaning into the redistricting fight as he looks to build his national profile ahead of a potential 2028 bid, but the move comes with political risks. Newsom formally declared his plans at a rally Thursday to call a special election for November that would allow state lawmakers to redraw California's congressional map in response to President Trump urging red states to do the same. The plan comes as Newsom positions himself as the most vocal Trump critic on the national stage — and amid speculation he's planning to mount a White House bid in the coming years. But it also represents a political gamble that could backfire on the governor, as the state's independent redistricting commission remains popular with voters and several high-profile figures, including former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), have vowed to campaign against the initiative. 'This is a gigantic roll of the dice, with national implications,' said California Democratic strategist Steven Maviglio. Newsom has been trending in this direction for weeks as Texas Republicans barrel forward with plans to approve new congressional districts that would net them up to five additional seats in the House in next year's midterms. He's said he would only move forward if another state did first, but with Texas Democrats expected to return to the state soon, the governor is going all in on his response. The process won't be easy, as it requires the legislature to pass a ballot measure with a supermajority to quickly get it to voters for the November election and then will need a wide-ranging messaging campaign to rally support. Newsom previously told The Hill that he's 'very confident' about moving forward. Democrats have the numbers in both houses of the legislature to approve the measure, so if they all stick together then it will pass. Newsom acknowledged that the proposal is not a 'slam dunk' but expressed optimism about unity he has seen from state legislative leaders for the plan. He said the 'biggest risk' is not taking one. 'Trump doesn't deserve the passivity, acquiescence. Democracy demands we at least try, eyes wide open, recognize the stakes,' he said. He told reporters in comments after his rally that he expects the legislature to approve the initiative by the end of this coming week. Presuming Texas passes a new map and it holds up to likely legal scrutiny, California will be critical to Democrats' efforts to offset any potential GOP gains. Democrats in the state seems likely to also push for up to five new seats for the party, more than any other Democratic-led state could pick up next year. Democratic strategist Matt Krayton said Newsom's actions show his and others' recognition that Democrats can't use the same 'playbook' while Republicans turn to 'power grabs.' 'I don't think it necessarily cedes the moral high ground, and I think voters recognize that the utility and necessity of doing something like this,' he said. The success of Newsom's proposal could have major implications for the governor himself, as he has risen to become one of the top leaders of the Democratic Party and has continued to fuel speculation that he's eying the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. Maviglio called the rally a 'campaign-style event,' in recognition that every Democrat needs to be excited about the plan and the issue needs to become partisan to get it passed. 'He has emerged at a time when Democrats do not have a national leader, and he is… becoming a leader for the moment,' he said. But some barriers remain that raise the stakes for Newsom despite Democratic leaders pushing for this in a solidly blue state. California's independent redistricting commission, which has been in place for more than a decade, appears to have strong support. A poll released Thursday showed 64 percent of Californians said they back the independent commission holding redistricting authority, compared to 36 percent who said they support returning the authority to the state legislature. Those supporting the commission included 72 percent of independents, 66 percent of Republicans and 61 percent of Democrats. Of course, that's before any concerted public effort to change voters' minds, but it still means Newsom and Democratic leaders have work to do. Maviglio said he expects the Democratic support for the commission to drop, but resistance will be stiff, noting a high-profile figure like Schwarzenegger getting involved to oppose the measure. The former actor-turned-politician teased his involvement in a post on X on Friday, posting a picture of himself wearing a t-shirt saying, 'terminate gerrymandering.' And if the effort that Newsom is putting his full weight behind fails, it could spell trouble for his political aspirations. 'If it fails, that's the end of his career,' Maviglio said. 'First of all, he's going to be out of office. And then if he flopped on a signature issue, that spells disaster for his political future. So I think they're going to put everything they can into this.' California Republican strategist Tab Berg argued that Newsom's plan shows his focus is more on his political future than California. 'He's focused only on the national stage. He's running for president. He's trying to position himself as the national anti-Trump guy,' Berg said, pointing to posts on X that Newsom's press office have recently made that appear to imitate how Trump posts on social media. Berg said he thinks the effort will be successful if Democrats are willing to ignore the law and 'run over' voter sentiment, but they still have a tall hill to climb. But he said he expects the plan could cause some backlash from voters who don't want California to disenfranchise voters because of what Texas is doing. He said lawmakers' focus should be on issues like supporting those in Los Angeles who lost their homes to wildfires, addressing homelessness and lowering the price of groceries. And he warned that the move could hurt Newsom's chances at the Democratic nomination in alienating moderates and stoking further distrust in government, particularly among young people. 'I think that the Democrats are going to permanently, or at least long term, harm their brand by moving this forward,' Berg said. But at least in terms of the plan's chances, Newsom has overcome adversity before, said Matt Barreto, a professor of political science and co-founder of the Voting Rights Project at the University of California, Los Angeles. He said a concern is whether voters will sign off on Newsom's plan, but a major campaign for it is coming. 'There's going to be an extensive campaign with public information and outreach to educate the voters of California why the governor believes this is important,' he said, noting Newsom's easy victory in fending off a recall effort in 2021. Krayton said determining the political effects on Newsom is still premature given the time that remains before the next presidential election, but he's charting a new path that Democratic voters have said they want from their leaders, pushing back against Trump and Republicans. 'As a party, we need to be looking to voices who are willing to take approaches that we haven't taken before,' he said. 'In doing what he's doing, he's contributing his voice to that very goal of identifying people who you know have a different way of approaching the situation.'
