THE SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted against a resolution opposing the new statewide ballot initiative to redistrict California’s congressional seats.
Supervisor Steven Ding authored the proposal, which formally rejected Gov. Gavin Newsom’s campaign to revise California’s congressional districts — a move that would split up representation from San Joaquin County and dilute the region’s influence in Washington, critics have warned.
A constitutional amendment on the redistricting was passed last week by the California Legislature, setting up a ballot initiative in November that, if approved by voters, would temporarily sidestep the independent commission in charge of congressional maps in California.
That special election, Ding said in his resolution, could cost as much as $250 million. Too much, he said.
Supervisor Robert Rickman agreed, saying that shunting aside the independent commission’s review of the congressional maps “is exactly what our residents feared.”
But the rest of the board — Chair Paul Canepa, Vice Chair Sonny Dhaliwal and Supervisor Mario Gardea — disagreed with the resolution and showed their support for voters to make the ultimate decision.
The 3-2 vote reflected divisions across the state over Newsom’s drive for a ballot measure, Proposition 50, aimed at flipping five congressional seats currently held by Republicans into the Democratic column.
A vote on the measure in a special election is meant to counter the Texas Legislature’s decision this month to redraw its congressional map to flip five seats at the urging of President Donald Trump. Trump wants to help Republicans hold or increase their majority in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2026 elections. If Democrats were to retake the majority, it would provide a buffer against Trump’s conservative policies.
California Republicans oppose Newsom’s move and are taking him to court over it.
Congressional districts are usually reapportioned only once a decade after U.S. Census results are released. California has previously left the process to a bipartisan citizen commission to repel meddling by lawmakers looking to protect or increase their turf.
Carving up the county
Rickman noted the proposed new congressional map for California would divvy up San Joaquin County into five districts. At present, the vast majority of the county is in a single district, with a slice at its southern tip in another. Both districts are held by Democrats.
Lodi would be divided into three districts, and Stockton would see its map redrawn as well.
Rickman said he knew from time on a past redistricting commission that residents want a congressional district that encompasses the entire county, which has its own unique culture and issues.
“This is irresponsible. Sometimes you have to be grandpa and say, ‘No.’” Supervisor Steven Ding
“We’re tired of being told by Sacramento they know better,” Ding said in supporting the resolution and emphasizing how a special election would be a costly waste at a time when the state is already in financial straits.
“This is irresponsible. Sometimes you have to be grandpa and say, ‘No,’” he said.
But Canepa said he couldn’t support the resolution because he believes the redistricting issue needs to be decided by state voters. As a national issue, he said he doesn’t think the county should be involved.
Dhaliwal concurred, saying a November vote protects democracy.
Gardea offered only brief remarks, noting this is a “touchy situation,” but ultimately voted against the resolution.
Had the proposal passed, the board believes it would have been the first in the state to officially register opposition to Prop. 50.
This story originally appeared in Stocktonia.
